Question Type 1: Basic Description Questions

Activity

In the answer above find examples of the following:

• 
  Redundant language
  
• 
  Uncommon vocabulary
  
• 
  Linking words
  
• 
  Idiomatic vocabulary
  
• 
  Linking phrases
  
• 
  Different tenses (how many are used?)
  

Description Structures

When responding to description questions, you need to begin with a lead-in phrase. (This is an example of a linking device I redundant language). Possible lead-in phrases include the following:

OK then...

Right, ok...

Alright...

Well...

Well, you know...

Well first of all...

Actually...

We can add a "pointing phrase" next, to signal to the listener that the first point is coming. (This is another example of a linking device / redundant language.)

...the first thing I should mention is that...

...the point I’d like to begin with is that...