EMBEDDED QUESTIONS

BEFORE YOU READ. Look at the cartoon. What is the man worried about? Read this interview about tipping.

THE TIP.
In China it used to be illegal, in New Zealand it’s uncommon, but in Germany it’s included in the bill. In the United
States and Canada it’s common but illogical: You tip the person who delivers flowers, but not the person who delivers
a package.
Do you often wonder _____________ ______ ______ about tipping?
Our correspondent, Marjorie S. Fuchs, interviewed Irene Frankel, author of “Tips on Tipping”, to help us through the
tipping maze.
MSF: Tell me _____________ you ____________ to write a book about tipping.
IF: I began writing it for people from cultures where tipping wasn’t a custom. But when I started researching, I found
that Americans, too, often weren’t sure _____________ ______ tip, so Tips became a book for anybody living in the
United States.
MSF: Does your book explain _____________ ______ tip?
IF: Oh, absolutely. It tells you who to tip, how much to tip, and when to tip. Equally important, it tells you
_____________ _________ ______ tip.
MSF: That is important. Suppose I don’t know whether to _____________ someone, and I left your book at home. Is it
OK to ask?
IF: Sure. If you don’t know _____________ ________ leave a tip, the best thing to do is ask. People usually won’t tell you
what to do, but they will tell you _____________ most _____________ _______.
MSF: I always wonder _____________ _______ _______ when I get bad service.
Should I still tip?
IF: Don’t tip the ordinary amount, but tip something so that the service
person doesn’t think that you just forgot to leave a tip.
MSF: Is there any reason _____________ _______ ______ a restaurant server but
not a flight attendant?
IF: Not that I know. The rules for tipping in the United States are very illogical,
and there are often contradictions in who we tip. That’s why I wrote this book.
MSF: Another thing – I’ve never understood _____________ a restaurant tip
_____________ on the amount of the bill rather than on the amount of work
involved in serving the meal. After all, bringing out a $20 dish of food involves the same amount of work as
carrying out a $5 plate.
IF: You’re right. It makes no sense. That’s just the way it is.
MSF: One last question. Suppose I’m planning a trip to Egypt. Tell me _____________ I ___________ learn about tipping
customs in that country.
IF: Usually travel agents know _____________ the rules _____________ for tipping in each country. Look up the
information on the Internet if you can’t find out from a travel agent or a book.
MSF: Well, thanks for all the good tips. I know our readers will find the very helpful. I certainly did.
IF: Thank you.

AFTER YOU READ. Underline the correct words to complete these embedded questions from the interview.
1. Tell me why did you decide / you decided to write a book about tipping.
2. It tells you when no / not to tip.
3. I always wonder what do I do / to do when I get bad service.
4. Is there any reason why do we tip / we tip a restaurant server but not a flight attendant?
5. Tell me how I can / can I learn about tipping customs in that country.
Embedded questions are used to express something you do not know or ask politely for information. Use statement
word order (Subject + verb). They often follow these phrases:

I don’t know… I’d like to know… Do you know…? Can you tell me…? I can’t remember…?
Can you remember…? Let’s ask… We need to find out… I’d like to find out… I wonder…
I’m not sure… It doesn’t say… Could you explain…? I can’t imagine…

Example:
I don’t know what the name of the restaurant is.
Can you remember how much the shrimp costs?
Let’s ask what today’s specials are.
I wonder what time the restaurant closes.
Could you explain what that sign means?
I can’t imagine why this restaurant isn’t more popular.

ASKING FOR ADVICE. Complete the conversation between Martina and Miuki. Use a question word and the
infinitive form of the verbs in the box.

Figure out Get Go Invite Leave Wear

MARTINA: I can’t decide __what to wear__ Friday night.

MIUKI: Your red dress. You always look great in it. By the way, where are you going?
MARTINA: Trattoria da Luigi with Janek. We’re meeting there at 8:00.
MIUKI: Great! You know _______________________________________ there, don’t you?
MARTINA: Yes, but I’m not sure _____________________________________________.
MIUKI: Leave at 7:30. That’ll give you enough time.
MARTINA: I’d like to take Janek someplace for dessert afterward, but I don’t know ___________________________________.
MIUKI: The desserts at da Luigi’’s are supposed to be pretty good.
MARTINA: Oh. By the way, it’s Janek’s birthday, so I’m paying. But I’m still not quite sure ___________________________
the tip.
MIUKI: Service is usually included in Italy. The menu should tell you. So, who else is going?
MARTINA: Well, I thought about asking a few people to join us, but I really didn’t know ______________________________
MIUKI: Don’t worry. I’m sure it will be fine with just the two of you.

ROLEPLAY: INFORMATION PLEASE!

Work in pairs (A and B). Student A, you are a desk clerk at a hotel. Student B, you are a guest at the hotel. Use
embedded questions to find out information about the following:

 Restaurants Banks
 Interesting sights Shopping
 Transportation Tipping
 Entertainment Laundry

Example:
A: Can I help you?
B: Yes. Could you tell me where to find a good, inexpensive restaurant around here?
A: There are some nice restaurants around the university.