One of parts that most non-native speakers fear when doing business presentations in English is answering questions at the end. But you can be prepared, not only by predicting questions, but also in ways of dealing with them. For example, there are polite ways of not answering questions, or asking someone to repeat their question. It is a skill that everybody can learn.
In this online exercise on presentations, we will look at the English vocabulary and phrases that are used for both introducing the question section in a presentation and for dealing with questions. Although the focus in this exercise is on business presentations, these phrases can be used in both other situations and types of presentations as well.
Click here to see more online exercises on presentations and presentation vocabulary
In the following text, people from the audience ask the speaker of a presentation (on improving staff performance) a number of questions about what he has said.
From the context, try to guess what the meaning of the words/phrases in bold are and why they are being said. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.
Speaker:'Now if there are any questions, I would be pleased to answer them.'
Attendee 1:'You said that staff need more attention, how can we do that?'
Speaker:'That's a good question. You simply need to be there in person more, not just communicating by email or by the phone. Have you desk in the middle of your staff and try to work there as much as possible. Does that answer your question?'
Attendee 1:'Yes.'
Speaker:'The woman in the second row.'
Attendee 2:'But we don't …. …........... …... office. So what can we do?'
Speaker:'I did not quite catch that, would you mind repeating it?'
Attendee 2:'Yes. We don't have the time …. …........... …... office. So what can we do?'
Speaker:'I'm really sorry, I must be going deaf. Would you mind repeating it again?'
Attendee 2:'No problem. For many of us, we don't have time to be in the office a lot. So what can we do?'
Speaker:'Now I heard you. That's an interesting point, and one that we faced at our company. The short answer I'm afraid is that you have to make time. Try re-organising your schedule. It means more work for you, but you will see the rewards.
Any more questions? Yes, the man in the front row.'
Attendee 3:'You mentioned that your company wrote a management procedure document. Do you happen to have a copy of it?'
Speaker:'I'm afraid that I don't have it to hand, but if you give me your email address I would be pleased to forward it to you. Is that ok?
The woman in the fifth row.'
Attendee 4:'Can you explain the full procedure at your company?'
Speaker:'I'm afraid that would take a long time to explain, but if you give me your email address I would be pleased to forward you a copy.
Well, thank you often again for attending the presentation and I hope you have a safe journey.'
Match the words/phrases in bold from the above text to each of the definitions/descriptions below. Click on the "Check" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.
When the answer is correct, two icons will appear below the answer. The "" icon contains extra information on the word/phrase. In the "" icon, you can listen to the pronunciation of the word/phrase.
Now that you understand the meaning of the words/phrases and when to use them, practise using them by creating your own sentences with them in English. Also click on the "" icon under each correct answer and listen how each is pronounced correctly.
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