MỘT SỐ ĐIỀU CẦN NẮM VỮNG KHI LÀM BÀI PART 2 (QUESTIONS with WHY) ĐỐI VỚI SINH VIÊN LỚP LISTENING LEVEL 2, TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DUY TÂN (Ms Uyen)

 

The question word Why is used to ask about the reason for a(n) event/condition/problem/change

• Questions with Why account for 3-4 out of 30 questions in Part 2.

• Responses to this question type will provide a reason or cause. Conjunctions or prepositions of cause such as because, for, because of, due to are frequently used. A to-infinitive phrase may also be used to show purpose.

• However, a correct response does not always start with because. In most cases, because is omitted, so you must understand what the question asks about in order to choose the correct response.

 

Example

 

Listen and choose the best response to the question.                                                     

  

Why is the bank closed today?

   (A) It is just two blocks away.

   (B) It is a holiday.

   (C) Right across the street.

 

• This question asks about the reason why the bank is closed today. Therefore, response (B) is the most suitable because it explains that it is a holiday. Responses (A) and (C) are wrong because each refers to a location.

 

• For questions with Why, you should carefully listen to the whole question and should not expect a response starting with because. In the actual TOEIC test, most of the answer choices omit the conjunction because. Sometimes, responses starting with because turn out to be misleading.

 

Structure 1    

                                                                            

Why is/are/was/were + subject + adjective/adverb/adverbial

Why is/are/was/were + subject + past participle?

Why isn’t/aren’t/wasn’t/weren’t + subject + past participle?

 

          Q Why is the library closed?

          A It’s a national holiday.

 

Possible responses:

 

• Its operating hours ended.

• It is being repaired

• There was a fire last night.

 

Test-Taking Strategies

 

The questions of this type are used to ask about the reason for the condition/state of the subject. Common adjectives you will hear are late/busy/low/empty/loud/bright/hot/dark/open.

■ Generally, when the subject of the question is an event, an appointment, or a reservation, the past participle wiil carry the meaning of cancellation, delay, postpone, or change.

■ When the subject of the question refers to a place where people usually come to such as bank, library, restaurant, store, the past participle will usually carry the meaning of being closed or locked.

 

Subjects	Past participles
flight / schedule / conference / meeting / construction/ appointment   bank / library / restaurant / store / gate / door/ window/road	Delayed, postponed, cancelled, rearranged     closed / locked / blocked

 

Possible responses to the questions of this type include:

•  Reasons for flight delays: bad weather, technical problems, etc.

•  Reasons for libraries or banks being closed: a public holiday, important internal matters, etc

•  Reasons for a meeting or an appointment being cancelled or changed: an unexpected incident, speakers’health problems, an emergency, etc.                     

 

  Structure 2

 

Why is/are/isn’t/aren’t + subject + V-ing?                                                                 

 

             Q  Why are so many people standing on the street?

             A  There is a street concert tonight.

 

Possible responses:

 

• There is a parade on the street.
• A festival is taking place.
• They are watching a street performance.
• Some street musicians are having a concert.

 

Test-Taking Strategies

 

This question structure is used to ask about the reason why an event is happening at present or in the near future. You have to understand the meaning of the subject and verb in the -ing form. Also, you must identify whether the verb be is in an affirmative or a negative form.

 

Depending on the idea or context of the question, the correct response may be in a variety of

tenses: present simple, past simple, present continuous, or future.

 

Why is Mr. Kim leaving for London Thursday? (A planned future action)

-> He is going to attend a conference. (The future tense)

 

 

 Structure 3

 

Why do/does + subject + need/have/want to + bare infinitive?

                                                                                                                                         

          Q Why do you need to reschedule your appointment?

          A Something came up unexpectedly.

 

Possible responses:

 

• My client asked me to do that.
• One of my team members had an accident.
• My flight has been canceled because of the bad weather.

                                                                                       

Test-Taking Strategies

 

To choose the correct response to this question structure, you have to listen carefully to the verb after need/have/want to.

 

Different tenses may be used in the responses, but you do not have to pay too much attention to the tenses. You just focus on finding the response whose meaning best corresponds with the

question.