Giáo án A Closer Look 2

Ss recall how direct questions are changed into reported speech and get ready to notice the structure asked + if/whether + subject + verb.

T says a reported sentence, for example: “She asked if the cave was open.” Ss guess the original direct question. Then T writes the example on the board: “Is the cave open?” → She asked if the cave was open. T asks: What word introduces the reported question? Which part of the sentence is in statement order?

Ss identify the original question “Is the cave open?” and notice that the reported sentence uses if + subject + verb, with no question word order. Ss give the key point: Yes/no questions are introduced by if or whether.

Ss discover the form of reported yes/no questions and explain why the statement order is used.

Ss work in pairs with Worksheet 1. They look at the example “Is the cave open?” → She asked if the cave was open. Then they compare with two incorrect versions: “She asked the cave was open if?” and “She asked did the cave open?” They discuss why these forms are wrong. T reads the examples aloud and Ss repeat, focusing on the pronunciation of if and whether.

Ss complete the form table on Worksheet 1:

• Reporting verb: asked
• Introducing word: if / whether
• Subject: stays before the verb
• Verb: changed to the statement form (was, is, can)
• No do/does/did and no inversion.
  Ss write one correct example: “Are you ready?” → The guide asked us if we were ready.

Ss identify when backshift, pronoun change and time expression change are needed in a past reporting context.

T gives the direct question “Can you swim?” and asks Ss to report it in a past context: He asked ___ I ___ swim. Ss notice that can changes to could and you changes to I. T then shows the worked example from the lesson: “Is the cave open?” She asked ___. Ss discuss how the present is backshifted to the past (is → was).

Ss write the completed sentence: He asked if I could swim. Ss explain three changes: (1) can → could (backshift in a past context); (2) you → I (pronoun change); (3) present verbs move back to past forms when the reporting verb is in the past, for example is → was.

Ss practise choosing the correct form, filling gaps, reordering words and checking reported questions.

Ss do exercises 1 to 5 from Worksheet 2 in pairs, then check with the answer key. The exercises are:

1. “Is the cave open?” She asked ___. (A to D)
2. He asked {{1}} we could join the trip. (if/that)
3. Report later using backshift: “Can you swim?” He asked if I ___ swim. (A to D)
4. Order the reported question: She asked / whether / the route / was safe.
5. Check the reported questions: a) He asked if the path was open. b) He asked did the path open.

Answer key:

1. B. if the cave was open
2. if (a yes/no question is introduced by if/whether)
3. B. could (can backshifts to could in the past reporting context)
4. She asked whether the route was safe.
5. a) Đ (correct); b) S (use if/whether and statement order; the correct form is He asked if the path opened.)

Ss use reported yes/no questions to report a real conversation about natural wonders, and explain the rules in their own words.

Ss work in pairs. Partner A asks Partner B three yes/no questions about a natural wonder (for example, a cave, a mountain or a river). Partner B then reports the questions to the class using asked + if/whether. Ss also do exercises 6 to 8 from Worksheet 2:
6. Report in a past context: “Do you like caves?” Mai asked me.
7. Report: “Are you ready?” The guide asked us.
8. Explain why “She asked if was I tired” is incorrect.
Vocabulary to use: limestone, landscape, magnificent, formation.

Model answers:
6. Mai asked me if/whether I liked caves.
7. The guide asked us if/whether we were ready.
8. The subject must precede the verb in a reported question. The correct form is She asked if I was tired.
In the interview, each pair produces three reported questions, for example: “Is the cave magnificent?” → She asked if the cave was magnificent.