27676 telling time

1

Telling the time
What time is it?
Do you have the time, please?
Could you tell me the time, please?

►In this lesson we are going to learn how to ask questions about time.
This is a conversation between two friends Lauren and Catherine. They are going to the cinema.

Lauren: would you like to see a movie tonight?
Catherine: do we have time? I have to be home by 10.30.
Lauren: Well, I guess it’s around 6.15 now. That should be plenty of time.
Catherine: All right let’s look in the newspapaer and see what’s playing!
Lauren: … I haven’t seen any of these movies, how about this one.. the Scorpion?
Catherine: Yeah it’s supposed to be a good movie. How much time do we have?
Lauren: I don’t know it starts at 8.30. do you have the time?
Catherine: Yeah, it’s 6.20.
Lauren: That will give us almost two hours. That should be plenty of time. So let’s go get tickets.
Catherine: I don’t have any cash. Do you think I can pay with a credit card?
Lauren: Let’s look. Mmm… it says you can, but if there’s any problem I can buy your ticket !
Catherine: And I can pay you later.

Question: underline the time expressions in the text.


2

How to read the clock

Examples

6.45

It's a quarter to seven.

9.00
11.10
2.25
4.30
5.55

It's
It's
It's
It's
It's

nine o'clock.
ten past eleven.
twenty-five past two.
half past four.
five to six.

3. Time of the day
in the morning

the early part of the day

at noon
in the afternoon
in the evening

at night

12 o'clock, midday
part of the day after the morning
late part of the day
part of the day when most people sleep

Question: What time is it?

…………….…

……………………… ………………

…………….…

…………………….

…………………

…………………
…………………

………………
………………..


3

How to ask questions in English

1. WH-question
Where
ask about places.
When
ask about times and dates.
Why
ask about a reason.
How
ask in what way.
Who
ask about people
What
ask about things
(many possible answers).
Which
ask about things
(small number of possible
answers).

Where is he? At home.
When will you phone? At 6 o'clock
Why are they leaving? They are tired.
How will she get here? By taxi.
Who are you going to visit? My sister.
What's your father's job?
He's a dentist.
Which finger did you break?
My ring finger.

2. Word order

Most wh-questions begin with a question word + an auxiliary verb + the subject
Question
Auxiliary
Subject
Verb
word
What
is
Brian
doing?
Where
have
you
put
the book?
When
can
we
travel
safely?
How
does
the radio
work?
3. Prepositions with wh-questions
Prepositions (to, about, with, from, ...) usually go at the end. Here are some examples:
- Where are you from?
- Who do these books belong to?
- What are you talking about?
- Who are you going with?

Now ask questions about the bracketed expressions.
1. They study (English) every Tuesday morning.


4

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Romi goes to school (by bus).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. The teacher explains the lesson (in front of the class).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. (My brother) does his homework carefully.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. My daughter always washes her hair (twice a week).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
6. John loves eating (pizza).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Fenny invites (Bimo) to come to her birthday party.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
8. Olga sings a song (beautifully).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
9. Shanti gets up (at five).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
10. Harry doesn't go to school (because he is sick).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
11. (Mother) cooks rice in the kitchen.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
12. Tommy rides his bike (very fast).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

13. Thalia always (has breakfast) before going to school.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
14. I give (Mario) a birthday present.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
15. Mario celebrates (his birthday) in September.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
16. Students listen to (the teacher's explanation).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
17. I like (the white T-shirt), not the red one.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
18. Julia has (two brothers).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
19. The little boys play (hide and seek).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
20. Sammy closes the windows (because it's going to rain).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….