Basic Dutch in 30 Days: Can you help me?

1. Question 1 of 10

   What does “Mag ik hier zitten?” mean?

   • ACan you sit here?
   • BShall I sit here?
   • CMay I sit here?
   • DMust I sit here?
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   Answer: C. May I sit here?

   Mag ik ...? asks for permission: May I ...? Must is a different verb in Dutch (moeten).

2. Question 2 of 10

   Choose the correct form: Hij ___ goed koken. (kunnen)

   • Akunnen
   • Bkant
   • Ckan
   • Dkunt
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   Answer: C. kan

   With hij, zij and het the form is kan: hij kan goed koken.

3. Question 3 of 10

   Fill the gap: Wij ___ graag helpen. (willen)

   • Awilt
   • Bgewild
   • Cwil
   • Dwillen
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   Answer: D. willen

   With wij, jullie and zij (they), the form is willen: wij willen graag helpen.

4. Question 4 of 10

   Which sentence is correct?

   • AKunt u helpen mij?
   • BKunt mij u helpen?
   • CKunt u mij helpt?
   • DKunt u mij helpen?
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   Answer: D. Kunt u mij helpen?

   Kunt comes first, then u, then mij. The infinitive helpen goes to the end.

5. Question 5 of 10

   How do you say “Shall I carry your bag?”

   • AZal je tas ik dragen?
   • BZal ik je tas dragen?
   • CWil ik je tas dragen?
   • DZal ik je tas draag?
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   Answer: B. Zal ik je tas dragen?

   Use Zal ik ...? to offer help. The infinitive dragen goes to the end.

6. Question 6 of 10

   Someone asks: “Zal ik de deur opendoen?” You want the help. What do you say?

   • AGraag gedaan.
   • BJa, ik kan.
   • CNee, ik mag niet.
   • DJa, graag.
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   Answer: D. Ja, graag.

   Ja, graag means yes, please. Graag gedaan means you’re welcome, which does not fit here.

7. Question 7 of 10

   Which request is the MOST polite?

   • AJij doet het raam dicht.
   • BRaam dicht!
   • CZou u het raam dicht kunnen doen?
   • DDoe het raam dicht.
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   Answer: C. Zou u het raam dicht kunnen doen?

   Zou u ... kunnen? (Could you ...?) is the most polite way to ask. The other options are orders.

8. Question 8 of 10

   Listen. What does the woman want?

   Play audioListen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.

   No sound? Read the text instead

   Vrouw: Pardon, mag ik uw pen even lenen?
   Man: Ja, natuurlijk.

   • ATo borrow the man’s pen
   • BTo give the man a pen
   • CTo buy a pen
   • DTo borrow the man’s phone
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   Answer: A. To borrow the man’s pen

   She asks mag ik uw pen even lenen? Lenen means to borrow, so she wants to borrow his pen.

   Transcript

   Vrouw: Pardon, mag ik uw pen even lenen?
   Man: Ja, natuurlijk.

9. Question 9 of 10

   Listen. Does Bram want help?

   Play audioListen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.

   No sound? Read the text instead

   Lucas: Zal ik je helpen?
   Bram: Nee, dank je, het gaat wel.

   • AYes, he wants help.
   • BHe asks Lucas to wait.
   • CHe asks for coffee.
   • DNo, he can manage.
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   Answer: D. No, he can manage.

   Bram says nee, dank je, het gaat wel: no, thanks, I can manage.

   Transcript

   Lucas: Zal ik je helpen?
   Bram: Nee, dank je, het gaat wel.

10. Question 10 of 10

    Read the sign in the library. What is allowed?

    Bibliotheek
    Hier mag u niet eten of drinken.
    U mag wel water drinken.
    Wilt u uw telefoon op stil zetten? Dank u wel!

    • AEating a sandwich
    • BDrinking coffee
    • CDrinking water
    • DEating fruit
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    Answer: C. Drinking water

    U mag wel water drinken means you may drink water. Eating and other drinks are not allowed (niet eten of drinken).

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