1. Conversation Lesson 25: Asking for Information

2. Student: Hello. I’m calling about you ad for a “room for rent” in today’s newspaper. Is it still available? Landlord: Oh, yes. Do you want to come over and take a look? Student: Yes, I do, but the ad didn’t mention the rent. How much is it? Landlord: $470.00 a month. Student: does that include utilities? Landlord: No. You pay the gas and electricity. We supply hot water and heat. Student: Is the room furnished or not?

3. Landlord: Furnished. Student: Okay. When can I come over? Landlord: Anytime you want. It’s up to you. Actually, evenings are best though. Student: How about this evening? Landlord: Okay. Can you come at 7:30? Student: Yes, 7:30 is fine. Landlord: All right. The address is 32 Chestnut Street, apartment number 1. Student: Okay. See you at 7:30.

4. Culture Note Sometimes a caller may ask for information rather than a particular person. If you cannot supply the information, you should refer the caller to someone who can.

5. To ask for information you can say... Could you give me some information on/about…? I wonder if you could tell me about…? I’m phoning to inquire about… I’d like to know if… I’d like some information on/about… I need some information about… I’d like to speak to someone who can give me information on… May I talk to someone about…?

6. To refer the caller to someone who can supply the information, you can say... I’m sorry, we don’t have that information. I suggest you call… I’m afraid you have the wrong department. Maybe you should try… Let me connect you with Mr. Sawyer., who may have the answer. I thin Mrs. Collins would be the best person to handle that.

7. Practice Asking for Information Work in pairs. Read the following situation and practice asking for information.

8. Asking for Information – Situation 1 You and a receptionist at a language school You join your husband who is studying for his Ph.D. at an Australian university. You want to further improve you English, so you call a local language school for information about courses. The receptionist answers you call. You ask him/her what language courses the school offers, when they start, what time they meet, what are the fees, and who are the teachers.

9. Asking for Information – Situation 2 You and your American teacher You are studying English at an American university. Because you were sick yesterday afternoon, you missed the class when you teacher announced an exam. Now, you phone your teacher and ask him/her for information, such as when the exam will be given, which chapter of the textbook the exam will cover, how many questions there will be, how long the exam will last, etc.

10. Asking for Information – Situation 3 You and a hotel receptionist You are spending your honeymoon with your spouse in an English-speaking country. You have just arrived, and you make a call to the Garden Hotel for information. The receptionist answers your phone call. You ask about the availability of rooms, the rate per night for a room for two people, the check out time, etc. The receptionist answers you questions and asks you how many nights you will stay at the hotel.

11. Asking for Information – Situation 4 You and an airline representative You have lived in Vancouver, Canada for a couple of years. Today, one of you friends from China will come to Vancouver for a conference. The plane your friend is one is arriving late. Now your are calling the Vancouver International Airport to ask when the plane will arrive and the reason for the delay. An airline representative answers your call and answers your questions.