The Follow-Up Question Machine

CompleteB1,B2Business Communication,Grammar,Speaking,Workplace Communication

Main objectives of this material

Develop practical vocabulary for describing conversations, including expressions such as hit a dead end, a one-word answer, an awkward silence, pick up on something, dig a little deeper and throw the question back.
Strengthen speaking and listening skills by analysing two versions of the same small talk conversation, identifying what makes one of them flow, and rescuing ten real dead-end answers such as Fine, Not much and It was OK in timed role plays.
Learn and practise the three-step follow-up question machine (react, comment, ask) using echo questions such as Are you?, Did you? and Was it? together with open-ended follow-up questions to keep any conversation going naturally.

What students are going to cover

In this lesson, students will explore why some small talk conversations die after two answers while others flow easily, using two short conversations that begin in exactly the same way. They will build vocabulary related to conversation skills, such as pick up on a detail, show interest and keep the conversation going, and learn the follow-up question machine: react, comment, ask. Students will practise echo questions with rising intonation, complete half-finished replies, and rescue ten dead-end answers out loud before applying the technique in three role plays: a coffee break, a video call and a networking event. By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to react naturally to short answers, ask open-ended follow-up questions, and keep a small talk conversation going with confidence.