Indirect Questions – English Grammar Test for B2
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Passage: “The Power of Asking Indirectly”
Politeness plays a big role in communication, especially in English. People often avoid sounding too direct because it can seem rude or demanding. That’s why native speakers frequently use indirect questions. These questions sound softer and more polite, even though they ask for the same information as direct ones.
For example, instead of saying “Where is the restroom?”, an English speaker might say “Could you tell me where the restroom is?” The meaning doesn’t change, but the tone does — it feels friendlier and more respectful. Using phrases like Do you know…?, I wonder…, or Could you tell me…? shows that the speaker is being considerate.
Indirect questions are also common in formal situations such as job interviews, customer service, and academic settings. For instance, if you want to ask your professor about your grade, it’s much better to say “I’d like to know if my essay has been graded yet” than “Have you graded my essay?” The first version sounds professional and polite.
However, one common mistake learners make is keeping the word order of a direct question. In indirect questions, the subject comes before the verb — we say “Could you tell me where she is?”, not “Could you tell me where is she?” Remember: there is no inversion and usually no question mark in an indirect question because it is part of a longer sentence.
Learning to ask indirectly helps you communicate more naturally and build better relationships. Politeness in speech often opens doors that directness may close.
1 What is the main idea of the passage?
(a) Direct questions are more polite than indirect ones.
(b) Indirect questions are used to sound more polite in English.
(c) Indirect questions are harder to understand.
(d) Politeness is not important in English.
2 Why do people use indirect questions?
(a) To sound more respectful.
(b) To confuse the listener.
(c) To make grammar easier.
(d) To avoid answering questions.
3 Which of these is an example of an indirect question?
(a) Where is the restroom?
(b) Is the restroom here?
(c) Could you tell me where the restroom is?
(d) Where’s restroom?
4 What is the tone of an indirect question?
(a) Angry
(b) Friendly and polite
(c) Demanding
(d) Uncertain
5 What mistake do many learners make with indirect questions?
(a) Forgetting the main verb.
(b) Using inversion like direct questions.
(c) Adding “please” too often.
(d) Using the wrong tense.
6 Which of the following words or phrases introduces an indirect question?
(a) Can you tell me
(b) Quickly
(c) Wait
(d) Stop
7 According to the passage, where are indirect questions often used?
(a) In informal text messages
(b) In formal or polite situations
(c) In jokes
(d) In emergencies
8 Which of these questions is correct according to the passage?
(a) Could you tell me where is she?
(b) Could you tell me where she is?
(c) Could you tell me where she at?
(d) Could you tell where she is?
9 What is the grammatical rule for indirect questions?
(a) Verb comes before subject.
(b) Subject comes before verb.
(c) Add “do” before subject.
(d) Use present continuous always.
10 Which of the following statements is TRUE?
(a) Indirect questions always end with a question mark.
(b) Indirect questions are used to sound more polite.
(c) Indirect questions are only for writing.
(d) Indirect questions are not used by native speakers.
11 Why is the example “Could you tell me where the restroom is?” polite?
(a) It adds “please.”
(b) It uses an indirect question form.
(c) It sounds more casual.
(d) It is grammatically incorrect.
12 What does “avoid sounding too direct” mean?
(a) Try not to be rude.
(b) Try to speak faster.
(c) Try to use fewer words.
(d) Try not to ask any questions.
13 Which of the following is NOT an indirect question starter?
(a) I wonder
(b) Could you tell me
(c) Do you know
(d) Give me
14 What usually happens to the word order in an indirect question?
(a) It changes to statement order.
(b) It stays the same as a direct question.
(c) The verb disappears.
(d) The subject is omitted.
15 What punctuation is normally used at the end of an indirect question?
(a) Exclamation mark
(b) Full stop (period)
(c) Question mark
(d) Semicolon
16 According to the passage, which sentence is INCORRECT?
(a) Could you tell me where she is?
(b) I’d like to know if my essay has been graded.
(c) Can you tell me what time does it start?
(d) Do you know when the class begins?
17 What does the phrase “opens doors” mean in the passage?
(a) Makes people more polite.
(b) Creates more opportunities.
(c) Helps you clean your house.
(d) Teaches new vocabulary.
18 Why might direct questions seem rude?
(a) They use too many words.
(b) They are too short and demanding.
(c) They are grammatically wrong.
(d) They don’t include “please.”
19 Which of the following is a correct indirect Yes/No question?
(a) Can you tell me is she coming?
(b) Can you tell me if she is coming?
(c) Can you tell me she is coming?
(d) Can you tell me whether is she coming?
20 What should you avoid in indirect questions?
(a) Inversion
(b) Using polite phrases
(c) Subjects
(d) Helping verbs
21 What kind of situations require more indirect questions?
(a) When you talk to your close friend
(b) In polite and professional situations
(c) When you joke with friends
(d) When you’re angry
22 Which example sounds the most polite?
(a) Tell me the time.
(b) What time it is?
(c) Do you know what time it is?
(d) What time does it?
23 Why is “Do you know what time it is?” indirect?
(a) Because it includes a question inside a question.
(b) Because it’s a yes/no question.
(c) Because it uses the wrong tense.
24 What is the function of indirect questions in English?
(a) To confuse the listener.
(b) To sound polite and respectful.
(c) To make sentences shorter.
(d) To speak faster.
25 Which of these sentences would be best for a job interview?
(a) Tell me what time we finish.
(b) Could you tell me what time we finish, please?
(c) When do we finish?
(d) Do we finish what time?
26 What is the difference between “Where is he?” and “Do you know where he is?”
(a) The first is polite, the second is rude.
(b) The first is direct, the second is polite.
(c) Both are indirect.
(d) Both are rude.
27 What kind of verb usually follows “I wonder”?
(a) A question word + subject + verb
(b) A question word + verb + subject
(c) Only an auxiliary
(d) A negative verb
28 Why don’t we use a question mark at the end of indirect questions?
(a) They are statements with a question inside.
(b) It’s optional grammar.
(c) They are very short.
(d) They are spoken only.
29 What does “formal situations” mean in the passage?
(a) Casual conversations with friends.
(b) Professional or official settings.
(c) Group discussions.
(d) Online chats.
30 What is the best title for the passage?
(a) “How to Sound Polite Using Indirect Questions”
(b) “Why Grammar Is Not Important”
(c) “Speaking Directly to Strangers”
(d) “Common Mistakes in Simple Questions”
Answer
1 (b) – The passage explains that indirect questions make speech polite.
2 (a) – They are used to sound more respectful.
3 (c) – Example of indirect question from text.
4 (b) – Indirect questions sound friendly and polite.
5 (b) – Common learner mistake: keeping inversion.
6 (a) – Introducer of indirect questions: Can you tell me...
7 (b) – Used in professional or formal situations.
8 (b) – Correct order: where she is.
9 (b) – Subject precedes verb in indirect form.
10 (b) – They’re used for politeness.
11 (b) – Uses polite indirect question form.
12 (a) – Avoid being too direct → be polite.
13 (d) – “Give me” is not an indirect question.
14 (a) – Changes to statement word order.
15 (b) – Indirect questions end with a period.
16 (c) – Wrong order (does it start → it starts).
17 (b) – Idiom meaning: more chances or opportunities.
18 (b) – Too short/direct sounds demanding.
19 (b) – Correct: if she is coming.
20 (a) – Never invert subject and verb.
21 (b) – Polite/professional contexts use them more.
22 (c) – Polite, gentle question form.
23 (a) – It includes one question inside another.
24 (b) – Purpose: politeness and respect.
25 (b) – Polite, professional phrasing for interviews.
26 (b) – “Where is he?” = direct; “Do you know where he is?” = polite.
27 (a) – Grammar pattern: I wonder + wh-word + subject + verb.
28 (a) – It’s a statement form containing a question idea.
29 (b) – “Formal situations” = professional/official contexts.
30 (a) – Summarizes the main idea clearly.