Advanced English course - Explanations

Here are some people asking for explanations. Look at the dialogues and then decide on the best answer to each question. Then click on analysis to see if your choice was correct.

1. Harry: I'm not sure why Mary is so late.
A: That's because you are not certain.
B: She does have a long way to go.
C: Well, actually it's already after 8 pm.
Analysis

B. Harry is indirectly asking why Mary is late. Only B. is actually an explanation - the others do not tell Harry anything he does not know.

2. Patricia: Can you explain what is this cup?
A: It's your coffee.
B: You drink out of it.
C: It is a form of question.
Analysis

C Because the final clause is a question form, (with inversion of 'what' and 'is') it is the object of 'explain'. Therefore Patricia is asking for an explanation of the question, not asking a question.

3. Arnold: You are in my seat.
A: Because the others are taken.
B: Well, because I am sitting down.
C: I'm sorry.
Analysis

C. Arnold is accusing you of doing something wrong. You therefore apologise if you are in the wrong, or as a preface for defending yourself (e.g. 'I'm sorry. But actually I was sitting here first.')

4. Debbie: How do you do that coffee?
A: With a bit of syrup added.
B: Because I am thirsty.
C: Okay, I'll make some immediately.
Analysis

A Debbie is asking how the coffee is made, so the explanation must give the technique. B. would answer the question 'Why ..' and C. would begin with 'How about ..'.

5. Mark: This is impossible to do.

A: There's a trick to it. First you ..
B: Let me explain. First you ..
C: Yes, well, actually, first you ...

Analysis

A. By saying this we prevent Mark from feeling stupid. B. is rather patronizing, and the verbal nulls in C. do not make sense in this context.

6. Jill: These golf clubs feel rather strange.
A: I can explain because I am left-handed.
B: I am left-handed.
C: That's why I'm left-handed.
Analysis

B. All that is needed is a simple sentence of explanation. The others have a slightly different meaning, and are incorrect in this context.

7. Joey: This tea tastes funny.
A: That's because you are laughing.
B: That's why it's coffee.
C: It's coffee. That's why.
Analysis

C. We put 'That's why' after a sentence to show that we have just given an explanation.

8. Michael: Why can't you come to my party?
A: Well, it's a long story ...
B: Actually the story is long..
C: As a matter of fact it's this story ...
Analysis

A. This phrase is a collocation used to warn a listener that a long (and possibly complicated) explanation is coming.

The End