Adult ESL/ELL Beginner Quiz: Courtesy Phrases
10 questions · exam conditions
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Courtesy PhrasesQuestion 1 of 10

A teacher offers two students, Ana and Ben, a piece of candy. Ana says, "Yes, please!" Ben says, "Thank you." The teacher gives both of them candy.

Based on this scenario, which statement about courtesy phrases is CORRECT?

Ana used the wrong phrase because 'please' is only correct when asking for something, not when accepting an offer from someone else.
Ben used the wrong phrase because 'thank you' should only be said before receiving something, not at the moment of receiving it.
Both Ana and Ben used appropriate courtesy phrases, but in different ways — Ana accepted politely, and Ben expressed gratitude appropriately.
Only Ben responded correctly because 'yes, please' is too informal and should not be used when speaking to a teacher.
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Adult ESL/ELL Beginner Quiz

Adult ESL/ELL Beginner Quiz: Courtesy Phrases

Practice Courtesy Phrases in Adult ESL/ELL Beginner with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Courtesy Phrases, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult ESL/ELL Beginner.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A teacher offers two students, Ana and Ben, a piece of candy. Ana says, "Yes, please!" Ben says, "Thank you." The teacher gives both of them candy.

Based on this scenario, which statement about courtesy phrases is CORRECT?

  1. Ana used the wrong phrase because 'please' is only correct when asking for something, not when accepting an offer from someone else.
  2. Ben used the wrong phrase because 'thank you' should only be said before receiving something, not at the moment of receiving it.
  3. Both Ana and Ben used appropriate courtesy phrases, but in different ways — Ana accepted politely, and Ben expressed gratitude appropriately. (correct answer)
  4. Only Ben responded correctly because 'yes, please' is too informal and should not be used when speaking to a teacher.
Explanation: When learning English, it helps to know that there are many courtesy phrases, and most of them can be used correctly in more than one situation. The key is understanding what job each phrase does — "please" shows politeness when making a request or accepting an offer, while "thank you" expresses gratitude when receiving something. In this scenario, both students responded appropriately to the teacher's offer. Ana said "Yes, please!" — a perfectly polite way to accept something when it is offered to you. Ben said "Thank you" — a natural expression of gratitude at the moment of receiving candy. Because the teacher gave candy to both students, we can see that both responses were understood and accepted as polite. That makes C the correct answer: both Ana and Ben used appropriate courtesy phrases, just in different ways. A is wrong because "please" is absolutely correct when accepting an offer — it is not limited only to making requests. Saying "Yes, please!" is one of the most common and polite ways to accept something in English. B is wrong because "thank you" does not have a strict rule about timing. You can say it while receiving something, after receiving it, or even before in some situations. There is no rule that it must come only before. D is wrong because "yes, please" is not too informal for a teacher — it is actually considered a respectful and appropriate response in most English-speaking settings. A good tip: do not look for reasons to eliminate courtesy phrases. In English, polite expressions are flexible, and using them is almost always correct.

Question 2

Lena is in class. She needs to leave her seat to use the restroom during a lesson. She must walk in front of three classmates to reach the door.

As Lena walks past each classmate, which phrase should she use, and why?

  1. "Excuse me" — because this is the appropriate courtesy phrase for moving past people in a shared or public space. (correct answer)
  2. "Please" — because she is making a silent request for each classmate to move their legs out of the way.
  3. "Thank you" — because she is grateful her classmates are allowing her to pass without complaining.
  4. "Sorry, please" — because combining an apology with a request is required when interrupting someone in a classroom setting.
Explanation: When you move through a shared space and need to pass by or interrupt someone — even briefly — English uses specific courtesy phrases for specific situations. Knowing which phrase fits which moment is an important social and language skill. In Lena's situation, she is physically moving past people who are already seated and occupied. She isn't asking them a question, receiving help, or apologizing for a mistake. She simply needs to pass through their space politely. The correct phrase for this is "Excuse me" (A), because it signals that you are briefly entering someone's personal space or interrupting their activity. It is the standard, expected phrase for passing people in hallways, classrooms, stores, or any shared area. Native speakers use it almost automatically in this context. Choice B, "Please," is incorrect because "please" is used to make a direct request, such as "Can you move, please?" On its own, without a full sentence, it doesn't communicate a clear, polite message when passing someone. Choice C, "Thank you," expresses gratitude after something has already been done for you — it would make more sense after the classmates let her pass, not while she is walking by. Choice D, "Sorry, please," is not a standard English expression. While combining words might seem polite, it is not a recognized courtesy phrase and would sound unnatural or confusing to a native speaker. A helpful tip: think of "excuse me" as your moving phrase — you say it when your body is going somewhere that might affect others. Save "sorry" for mistakes and "thank you" for received help.

Question 3

A student named Ray is learning English. His teacher tells him: "You should say 'please' every time you want something AND every time someone does something for you."

Is the teacher's instruction about 'please' completely accurate? Why or why not?

  1. Yes, the teacher is completely correct — 'please' is the all-purpose courtesy phrase for both making requests and expressing gratitude in standard English.
  2. No, the teacher is partially wrong — 'please' is correct when making requests, but 'thank you' (not 'please') is the appropriate courtesy phrase when someone does something for you. (correct answer)
  3. No, the teacher is partially wrong — 'please' is used after someone helps you, but 'excuse me' is the correct phrase for making requests to someone you do not know.
  4. Yes, the teacher is completely correct — in English, repeating 'please' in both situations reinforces politeness and is preferred over switching between different phrases.
Explanation: When learning English politeness phrases, it helps to think of them as tools — each one has a specific job. "Please," "thank you," and "excuse me" are not interchangeable; they each belong to a different situation. "Please" is used when you are asking for something or making a request. For example: "Can I have some water, please?" or "Please help me." It signals that you are asking politely, not demanding. This makes B the correct answer — the teacher is only partially right. The first part of the instruction ("say 'please' when you want something") is accurate. However, the second part is wrong. When someone does something for you — when they help you or give you something — the correct response is "thank you," not "please." Saying "please" after receiving help would confuse a native speaker because it does not express gratitude; it expresses a request. A is wrong because "please" is not an all-purpose courtesy phrase. It cannot replace "thank you" in contexts of gratitude — these are two distinct social functions in English. C is wrong because it reverses the roles: "please" is used for requests, and "excuse me" is used to get someone's attention or apologize for a minor interruption — not as a substitute for "please." D is wrong for the same reason as A; repeating "please" in both situations is not preferred and would actually sound unnatural or incorrect to fluent speakers. A helpful memory trick: please = asking, thank you = receiving. Keep these two jobs separate, and you will use both phrases correctly every time.

Question 4

David asks his coworker, "Can you help me carry these boxes?" His coworker agrees and helps him. David wants to respond politely.

Which response uses a courtesy phrase correctly AND fits the situation?

  1. "Excuse me" — because it shows David noticed his coworker's effort and acknowledges the interruption.
  2. "Please help me" — because David should repeat his request more politely after receiving help.
  3. "Thank you so much!" — because 'thank you' is the appropriate courtesy phrase to express gratitude after someone helps you. (correct answer)
  4. "Yes, please" — because David should confirm the help was acceptable using a polite agreement phrase.
Explanation: When someone does something kind or helpful for you, the right response is a gratitude phrase — a courtesy expression that acknowledges what they did. This question tests whether you can match the correct courtesy phrase to the right social situation. In the passage, David's coworker has already helped him carry the boxes. The action is done. David now needs to express gratitude, which is appreciation for something someone has done for you. That's exactly what "Thank you so much!" does — it directly acknowledges the coworker's effort and responds appropriately to the completed act of helping. Answer C is correct. Now let's look at why the other choices miss the mark. Answer A is tricky because "Excuse me" is a real courtesy phrase, but it's used to get someone's attention, apologize for a minor interruption, or ask someone to move — not to show gratitude. Using it here would be confusing to the coworker. Answer B tells David to say "Please help me," but the help is already finished. Repeating the request after receiving help doesn't make social sense and ignores the situation entirely. Answer D uses "Yes, please," which is a polite way to accept an offer — you'd say this before receiving help, not after. Using it after the task is done doesn't fit the moment. A useful tip: always ask yourself when a courtesy phrase is used. "Please" goes with requests, "Yes, please" accepts offers, "Excuse me" interrupts or apologizes, and "Thank you" always comes after someone has done something for you.

Question 5

Julia is on the phone with a customer service representative. She accidentally interrupts the representative while he is speaking. She wants to apologize briefly and let him continue.

Which phrase is MOST appropriate for Julia to use in this specific moment?

  1. "Thank you for speaking" — because Julia wants to show she values the representative's words and encourages him to continue talking.
  2. "Please continue" — because Julia is making a polite direct request for the representative to keep talking after the interruption.
  3. "No, please" — because Julia is politely declining to speak further and signaling that the representative should talk instead.
  4. "Excuse me, go ahead" — because 'excuse me' acknowledges the interruption politely, and 'go ahead' invites him to continue, forming a complete courtesy response. (correct answer)
Explanation: When someone accidentally interrupts a conversation, especially in a formal or professional situation like a customer service call, the ideal response does two things at once: it acknowledges the interruption politely and clearly invites the other person to continue. Keeping both elements in mind will help you choose the right phrase. The phrase in D — "Excuse me, go ahead" — accomplishes exactly this. "Excuse me" is a standard courtesy expression used to apologize for a small social mistake, such as cutting someone off mid-sentence. "Go ahead" then signals clearly that Julia wants the representative to continue speaking. Together, they form a complete, natural, and appropriately brief response for this moment. The other choices each fall short in a specific way. Choice A, "Thank you for speaking," sounds unnatural in English and comes across as stiff or even sarcastic in this context — it doesn't address the interruption or invite the person to continue. Choice B, "Please continue," is grammatically fine and polite, but it skips any acknowledgment of the interruption itself, which means Julia hasn't actually apologized for cutting him off. That makes it incomplete for the situation described. Choice C, "No, please," is too vague and ambiguous — without context, it sounds like a refusal or an emotional reaction, not a clear courtesy response that guides the conversation forward. A helpful tip: on questions about polite conversation and social English, always ask yourself whether the phrase both addresses what just happened and points to what should happen next. The best response usually does both.

Question 6

Carlos bumps into someone on the street by accident and wants to be polite.

Carlos says, "Excuse me." His friend later tells him he should have said something different. Which situation would make the friend's correction CORRECT?

  1. The friend is correct if Carlos bumped into the person very hard, because a more serious accident calls for 'I'm sorry' rather than 'excuse me,' which is typically used for minor, brief contact. (correct answer)
  2. The friend is correct if Carlos was asking the person for directions, because 'excuse me' is only appropriate for accidental physical contact, not for starting a conversation.
  3. The friend is not correct, because 'excuse me' is always sufficient when you accidentally bump into someone, regardless of how hard the contact was.
  4. The friend is correct because Carlos should have said 'thank you' instead, since thanking someone after accidental contact is the more polite choice.
Explanation: When choosing between "excuse me" and "I'm sorry," context and severity both matter. Think about the purpose each phrase serves: "excuse me" is a quick, polite acknowledgment for minor interruptions or light accidental contact, while "I'm sorry" carries more weight — it expresses genuine regret for causing discomfort or harm. Answer A is correct because it captures exactly this distinction. If Carlos bumped into someone hard, a stronger apology like "I'm sorry" would be more appropriate. The friend's correction makes sense in that specific situation — the contact was serious enough to warrant real regret, not just a brief social courtesy. This is the only scenario where the friend's feedback is logically justified. Answer B is wrong because it reverses the actual rule. "Excuse me" is perfectly appropriate for getting someone's attention before asking for directions — that's actually one of its most common uses. It's not limited only to physical contact. Answer C is wrong because it claims "excuse me" is always sufficient no matter what. That's too absolute. While "excuse me" works for minor bumps, harder contact calls for a stronger expression of apology. Context and intensity matter in real communication. Answer D is wrong because "thank you" after bumping into someone makes no sense socially. You thank someone for doing something helpful, not for being accidentally bumped into. This choice is a trap for students who confuse polite phrases without thinking about their specific meanings. Study tip: Learn polite phrases as a set — "excuse me," "I'm sorry," "pardon me," and "thank you" each have distinct uses. Mixing them up is a common beginner mistake on this exam.

Question 7

Read this short conversation: Customer: "Can I have a glass of water?" Waiter: "Of course! Here you go." Customer: " " Waiter: "You're welcome!"

Which phrase BEST completes the customer's line to make the conversation natural and polite?

  1. "Excuse me, please" — because the customer needs to get the waiter's attention again before speaking.
  2. "Please, thank you" — because both courtesy phrases together are always stronger and more polite than one alone.
  3. "Thank you!" — because the waiter's response 'You're welcome' is the standard reply to 'thank you,' making this the only phrase that fits logically. (correct answer)
  4. "Yes, please" — because the customer is confirming that the water is acceptable and using a polite agreement phrase.
Explanation: When you see a conversation-completion question like this, ask yourself: what response makes the dialogue flow naturally? In real conversations, certain phrases are paired together as automatic responses — almost like a call and response. Understanding these social exchange pairs is the key skill being tested here. In English, "thank you" and "you're welcome" are one of the most common paired exchanges. The waiter's final line — "You're welcome!" — is the standard, polite reply to being thanked. This tells you everything: the customer must have said "thank you" right before. Answer C fits perfectly because it creates the logical sequence: customer receives water → customer says "Thank you!" → waiter responds "You're welcome!" The conversation feels complete and natural. Answer A ("Excuse me, please") doesn't work because "excuse me" is used to get someone's attention or to apologize, not to respond after receiving something. The waiter is already standing there, so there's no reason to call for attention. Answer B ("Please, thank you") is a common trap — students sometimes think combining courtesy words makes them stronger, but this phrase sounds awkward and unnatural in English. "Please" is used when making a request, not after receiving one. Answer D ("Yes, please") is also a request phrase, used to accept an offer. The water has already been delivered, so this response doesn't make sense in context. A helpful tip: memorize common conversation pairs in English — "thank you / you're welcome," "how are you / I'm fine," "sorry / no problem." When a response word appears, look backward to find its natural partner.

Question 8

Read these four short exchanges and decide which one uses courtesy phrases INCORRECTLY.

Exchange 1: "Can you pass the salt?" / "Sure!" / "Thank you." Exchange 2: "Excuse me, where is the bathroom?" / "Down the hall." Exchange 3: "Would you like some coffee?" / "Yes, please." Exchange 4: "Here is your change." / "Excuse me, thank you."

Which exchange uses a courtesy phrase in a way that does NOT match its standard meaning or function?

  1. Exchange 1 — because 'thank you' should come before receiving the salt, not after the person has already passed it.
  2. Exchange 2 — because 'excuse me' should not be used when asking for directions; 'please' is the correct opener for a question.
  3. Exchange 3 — because 'yes, please' is too informal for accepting an offer of coffee and should be replaced with 'thank you, yes.'
  4. Exchange 4 — because 'excuse me' is used here before 'thank you,' but 'excuse me' is not appropriate when simply receiving change since no interruption or movement past someone occurred. (correct answer)
Explanation: When learning English courtesy phrases, the key is understanding what each phrase does — its social function — not just memorizing the word itself. Ask yourself: "Does this phrase fit what's actually happening in the conversation?" "Excuse me" has a specific job: it signals that you are interrupting someone, getting someone's attention, or physically moving past them. It's an apology for a small social disruption. In Exchange 4, the speaker receives change from a cashier — a completely smooth, expected interaction where no disruption happens. Placing "excuse me" before "thank you" in that moment makes no sense because there is nothing to excuse. The correct and natural response would simply be "Thank you." This is why D is the right answer — "excuse me" is misused by being placed in a context where its core function doesn't apply. Choice A is wrong because "thank you" after receiving the salt is perfectly correct — you thank someone after they help you, not before. Choice B is wrong because "excuse me" is actually the standard and polite way to get a stranger's attention before asking a question like directions; it fits exactly. Choice C is wrong because "yes, please" is completely appropriate for accepting an offer — in English, combining "yes" with "please" is natural and polite in any register, formal or informal. A helpful tip: when you see a courtesy phrase, ask yourself, "What situation does this phrase belong to?" "Excuse me" = disruption or interruption. "Please" = making a request. "Thank you" = after receiving something. Matching the phrase to the right situation is the skill this exam tests.

Question 9

Maria is at the grocery store. She needs to get past a man who is standing in the middle of the aisle. She does not know him.

What is the MOST appropriate thing for Maria to say to the man in the aisle?

  1. "Move, please." — because 'please' makes any request polite enough in any situation.
  2. "Excuse me" — because this is the standard courtesy phrase used to politely get someone's attention or ask them to move. (correct answer)
  3. "Thank you" — because this phrase shows respect and appreciation toward the man in the aisle.
  4. "Sorry, I'm busy" — because apologizing first is the most polite way to approach a stranger.
Explanation: When you see a question about what someone should say in a social situation, ask yourself: What is the person trying to do, and what phrase fits that goal politely? Here, Maria wants to get past a stranger without being rude — so you need a phrase that is both functional and courteous. The phrase "Excuse me" (choice B) is exactly right for this situation. English speakers use "excuse me" to politely get a stranger's attention, signal that you need to pass by, or interrupt someone briefly. It is a complete, natural expression on its own — no extra words needed. When Maria says "Excuse me," the man understands immediately that she needs to get by, and she has done so respectfully. Choice A, "Move, please," sounds like a command. Adding "please" softens a request slightly, but it does not fix a rude or bossy tone — especially when speaking to a stranger. Choice C, "Thank you," expresses gratitude, but Maria has not received any help yet. Saying "thank you" before anything happens would confuse the man and does not communicate her need at all. Choice D, "Sorry, I'm busy," is an apology you might use to decline an invitation or end a conversation — it has nothing to do with needing to walk past someone, and would simply make no sense in this context. A helpful tip to remember: "Excuse me" is one of the most important phrases for beginners to memorize because it works in many situations — getting attention, passing by someone, or entering a conversation politely.

Question 10

Tom wants a second serving of food at dinner. He says to his host, "More food, please." He then wonders: is it equally polite to say "Please, more food" instead? He is not sure if the position of 'please' in a sentence changes how polite it sounds.

Is Tom right to wonder about this? Which answer correctly explains how 'please' works in English requests?

  1. 'Please' is only polite at the beginning of a sentence. Placing it at the end sounds demanding and is considered rude in standard English.
  2. 'Please' works as a courtesy marker at both the beginning and the end of a request. Both positions are polite and natural in everyday English. (correct answer)
  3. 'Please' at the end of a sentence is only used in formal written English. In spoken conversation, it should always come at the beginning.
  4. 'Please' is polite in either position, but the speaker must also add 'thank you' immediately after to complete the polite formula correctly.
Explanation: When learning English, it helps to know that some words can move around in a sentence without changing their meaning or tone. "Please" is one of those flexible words — and that flexibility is exactly what this question tests. "Please" is a courtesy marker, meaning it signals politeness no matter where it appears in a request. "More food, please" and "Please, more food" are both natural, polite, and commonly used in everyday spoken English. Neither position is more or less polite than the other — native speakers use both comfortably depending on rhythm or personal habit. So Tom is right to wonder, and the answer that captures this is B. Here is why the other choices miss the mark. A tells you that "please" at the end sounds demanding or rude — this is simply false. Ending with "please" is extremely common and perfectly polite in English. C claims that end-position "please" belongs only in formal writing, which is also incorrect; in fact, "More food, please" is a very casual, spoken-style phrase. D introduces a new rule — that you must add "thank you" immediately after — but this is not a real grammar or politeness rule. Adding "thank you" is kind, but it is not required to make a request polite. A useful tip: on questions about politeness words like "please," "thank you," or "excuse me," watch out for answers that create strict rules about position or required combinations. English courtesy words are generally flexible, and answer choices that say "always" or "only" are often traps.