13.7 Question-word questions (3): 'Why?', 'How?'
13.7D
Study:
5*]
Write:
13.7E
Study:
'How long ... (for)?' and 'How long ago?' [> LEG 13.40.5]
How long ...? (with or without for) asks about duration: How long are you here (for)?
How long ago? + past tense refers to a point of time: How long ago did it happen? [> 7.3A]
Supply How long ... (for)? or How long ago?
1 Нш.ШЩ. are you here? 3 did Queen Victoria die?
2 was the great fire of London? 4 did the Victorian age last?
Social uses of 'How ...?' [> LEG 13.40.6]
We ask questions with How...? for:
- introductions: How do you do?, answered by How do you do? (Not e.g. *Fine, thanks')
- health: How are you? How have you been?, answered by e.g. Fine, thanks.
- personal reactions: How was the film?(= What was the film like?)
- offers and suggestions: How about a drink? (= What about a drink?)
Write: Match the questions and the answers.
A
1 How do you do? oC
2 How are you?
3 How have you been?
4 How's life?
5 How's the garden?
6 How about going to the cinema?
7 How was the concert?
8 How would you like to have lunch
with us?
В
a) I'd love to. That's very kind of you.
b) It was very enjoyable.
c) Not bad, but I had a cold last week.
d) How do you do?
e) Yes, that's a nice idea. Let's.
f) Coming along nicely. The tulips are
just coming out.
g) Very well, thank you. And you?
h) Fine! How's life with you?
13.7F Context
Write: Put in the correct question forms.
'It's a little gold mine!'
RENT-A-SPACE
My son, Len, is only twelve, but I think he's going to be an advertising
tycoon. He had an accident during a football match last week and since
then his leg has been in plaster. Len has been going round our local shops
selling advertising space on his leg. {'What/charge?)?
1 asked him. 'It depends,' he answered. ('How much space/want7)
(^2) (How long/want it (for)?) (^3) ( Want/box)
(^4) or just a few lines? (Want) (^5) "prime
position", or not?' His plastered leg was covered with ads, so he was
obviously doing well. ( 'How much/make)^6 so far?' I
asked. 'I'm not saying,' he said. ('How/your leg)^7 coming
on, anyway?' 'Fine, thanks,' he answered. ('Why/you ask?)
(^8) 'I hope you're getting better and we can have that
plaster off,' I remarked. 'I don't want it oft too soon,' he grinned. 'It's a little
gold mine!'