PassEveryTest
English

English for the Canadian Workplace Course: Polite requests and asking for clarification

Untimed topic quiz: 16 questions on Polite requests and asking for clarification, with an explanation after each answer. Questions and answers are shuffled every time.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 99 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026
Start with the lessonsEnglish for the Canadian Workplace Course: Lessons: about 240 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

Topic quiz 3: Polite requests and asking for clarification

  1. Question 1 of 16

    Which request is the most polite?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Could you pass me the tape, please?

    "Could you ..., please?" is a soft, polite request. Direct commands can sound rude to coworkers.

  2. Question 2 of 16

    Your coworker asks, "Would you mind helping me with these boxes?" You are happy to help. What do you say?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Not at all. Where do they go?

    "Would you mind ...?" asks if it is a problem for you. "Not at all" means it is no problem and you will help.

  3. Question 3 of 16

    Complete the request: "Would you mind ___ the door?"
    Show answer

    Answer: C. closing

    After "Would you mind", use the -ing form of the verb: "Would you mind closing the door?"

  4. Question 4 of 16

    You did not hear a number your supervisor said. What is the best thing to say?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sorry, could you repeat the number?

    Ask politely for the part you missed. Job Bank advises asking for more explanation when you do not understand.

  5. Question 5 of 16

    Your supervisor writes, "I need the report by EOD." What does EOD mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. End of day

    EOD means end of day, usually the end of the workday. If you are not sure what time that is, ask.

  6. Question 6 of 16

    Which sentence asks for permission politely?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Would it be okay if I took my break now?

    "Would it be okay if I ...?" and "Is it all right if I ...?" are polite ways to ask permission.

  7. Question 7 of 16

    Listen. What does Mateo do to avoid a mistake?
    Listen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.
    No sound? Read the text instead

    Supervisor: Mateo, can you move the blue bins to bay four before the truck comes at two?
    Mateo: Sure. Just to confirm, the blue bins go to bay four, and the truck comes at two o'clock?
    Supervisor: That's right. Thanks!

    Show answer

    Answer: D. He repeats the key details to check them

    Mateo says "Just to confirm" and repeats the place and time. Repeating key details back is the best way to avoid mistakes.

    Transcript

    Supervisor: Mateo, can you move the blue bins to bay four before the truck comes at two?
    Mateo: Sure. Just to confirm, the blue bins go to bay four, and the truck comes at two o'clock?
    Supervisor: That's right. Thanks!

  8. Question 8 of 16

    Listen. Where should the blue bins go?
    Listen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.
    No sound? Read the text instead

    Supervisor: Mateo, can you move the blue bins to bay four before the truck comes at two?
    Mateo: Sure. Just to confirm, the blue bins go to bay four, and the truck comes at two o'clock?
    Supervisor: That's right. Thanks!

    Show answer

    Answer: A. Bay four

    The supervisor says bay four. "Two" is the time the truck comes, not the bay.

    Transcript

    Supervisor: Mateo, can you move the blue bins to bay four before the truck comes at two?
    Mateo: Sure. Just to confirm, the blue bins go to bay four, and the truck comes at two o'clock?
    Supervisor: That's right. Thanks!

  9. Question 9 of 16

    Your supervisor explains a task, but you do not understand the word "restock". What should you ask?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Sorry, what do you mean by "restock"?

    Ask about the exact word you did not understand. "What do you mean by ...?" is clear and polite.

  10. Question 10 of 16

    Your manager asks you to stay late tonight, but you must pick up your child. Which answer is polite and clear?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. I'm sorry, I can't tonight, but I could stay tomorrow.

    A polite "no" says sorry, gives a clear answer and, if possible, offers another option.

  11. Question 11 of 16

    Why is it a problem to just nod and say "yes" when you do not understand an instruction?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your supervisor will think you understood

    If you say "yes", your supervisor expects the job done correctly. Ask questions instead, especially about safety.

  12. Question 12 of 16

    Listen. What does Dev offer to do?
    Listen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.
    No sound? Read the text instead

    Grace: Oh no, the printer jammed again, and the meeting starts in five minutes.
    Dev: Would you like me to print it on the second floor?
    Grace: That would be great. Could you make ten copies?
    Dev: Sure. I'll bring them right to the meeting room.

    Show answer

    Answer: D. Print the document on another floor

    Dev asks, "Would you like me to print it on the second floor?" "Would you like me to ...?" is a polite offer.

    Transcript

    Grace: Oh no, the printer jammed again, and the meeting starts in five minutes.
    Dev: Would you like me to print it on the second floor?
    Grace: That would be great. Could you make ten copies?
    Dev: Sure. I'll bring them right to the meeting room.

  13. Question 13 of 16

    Listen. How many copies does Grace ask for?
    Listen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.
    No sound? Read the text instead

    Grace: Oh no, the printer jammed again, and the meeting starts in five minutes.
    Dev: Would you like me to print it on the second floor?
    Grace: That would be great. Could you make ten copies?
    Dev: Sure. I'll bring them right to the meeting room.

    Show answer

    Answer: A. Ten

    Grace asks for ten copies. "Five" is the minutes until the meeting, and "second" is the floor.

    Transcript

    Grace: Oh no, the printer jammed again, and the meeting starts in five minutes.
    Dev: Would you like me to print it on the second floor?
    Grace: That would be great. Could you make ten copies?
    Dev: Sure. I'll bring them right to the meeting room.

  14. Question 14 of 16

    Which sentence checks your understanding without sounding rude?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. So, if I understand correctly, I start with yesterday's orders?

    "If I understand correctly ..." lets you repeat the task back and check it politely.

  15. Question 15 of 16

    Read the message. What does Lucy offer Ahmed?

    Hi Ahmed, could you cover my shift on Saturday? I have a family event. I'd be happy to take your Wednesday shift in return. No worries if you can't. Just let me know by Thursday so I can ask someone else. Thanks! Lucy

    Show answer

    Answer: D. To work his Wednesday shift

    Lucy writes that she would be happy to take Ahmed's Wednesday shift in return. Offering something back makes a request easier to accept.

  16. Question 16 of 16

    Read the message. By when does Lucy need an answer?

    Hi Ahmed, could you cover my shift on Saturday? I have a family event. I'd be happy to take your Wednesday shift in return. No worries if you can't. Just let me know by Thursday so I can ask someone else. Thanks! Lucy

    Show answer

    Answer: B. Thursday

    Lucy asks Ahmed to let her know by Thursday so she has time to ask someone else.

Related tests