Understanding the Speaker’s Stance

FeelingsConfident

Unsure

Enthusiastic

Bored

Happy

Depressed

Annoyed

Question Types

Which sentence best expresses how the wo/man feels?

Which sentence best expresses what the wo/man might say?

How does the wo/man seem to feel?

How to Answer

Make use the of context. Usually the student doesn’t explicitly say what they’re feeling, and neither is the answer in just one word alone.

Pay Attention to the speaker’s intonation. This can help you develop a general idea about their attitude and whether it is positive or negative. Think to yourself, “How does this person feel?” Are they calm? Anxious? Excited? Afraid? Unsure? Pay particular attention to certainty.

Look for restatements of the students’ feelings.

WomanDo you enjoy playing chess?

ManYes, I do.

WomanYou should join the chess club then. I belong to it and I think you might enjoy it too.

ManThat sounds like a great idea, but…uh…uh my chess playing is not quite up to that

level yet.

How does the woman seem to feel about the chess club?She thinks it’s not as much fun as the tournamentsShe really thinks it’s wonderfulShe think it doesn’t meet often enoughShe thinks it’s too competitive

Which sentence best expresses how the man feels?I don’t want to go to meetings unless I can play in tournamentsI don’t want to take part in the meetings or tournamentsI really don’t feel comfortable playing in tournamentsI’m just about ready to play in tournaments