Making Requests Politely - Functional Language
Practise making requests politely at A2–B1 level with useful phrase patterns and short situation-based responses. A separate page of suggested answers supports checking and discussion of other appropriate responses.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Useful phrase patterns
- Situation-based response practice
- Space for written responses
- Suggested answers on page 2
Distinguish asking someone to act from asking permission for your own action.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 2 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 2 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Use page 1 for learners and retain the suggested answers on page 2 until after independent responses.
- Contrast Could you open…? with Could I open…? and practise Would you mind plus -ing.
- Write requests for a louder voice, pen, heavy bag, window and remaining situations.
- Practise a request and answer; check who will perform the action and whether permission was actually given.
Support and extension
Offer actor/action notes. Extend with Would you mind if I opened…? as the alternative shown in the key. Explain that No, not at all can grant a mind-request; other polite responses are accepted.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
