A follow-up question asks you to go further on something, or to move to a related point. To respond well, listen for the question word, answer that exact question first, then add a reason or detail.
This lesson continues spoken interaction and uses the answer, reason and detail habit from extending a response.
What does each question word ask for?
| Question word | What to give | Starter |
|---|---|---|
| Mengapa | A reason | Kerana… |
| Bagaimana | A way or manner | Saya biasanya… |
| Apa lagi | One more item | Selain itu… |
| Bila / Di mana | Time or place | Pada… / Di… |
| Adakah | Yes or no, then a reason | Ya, kerana… |
| Pada pendapat anda | An opinion | Pada pendapat saya… |
How do you answer in four steps?
- Listen for the question word. Do not start from the topic alone.
- Answer that question in the first sentence.
- Add one reason or detail.
- Link back if it helps, with seperti yang saya sebut tadi (as I said earlier).
Worked example
This conversation is invented for practice. The examiner is an invented speaker.
Penguji (rekaan): Apakah mata pelajaran kegemaran anda?
Pelajar: Mata pelajaran kegemaran saya ialah Sains kerana saya suka membuat eksperimen.
Penguji (rekaan): Mengapa eksperimen menarik bagi anda?
Pelajar: Eksperimen menarik kerana saya dapat melihat keputusan sendiri. Contohnya, minggu lepas kami mencampurkan cuka dan soda penaik, dan kami melihat buih naik dengan cepat.
Penguji (rekaan): Adakah anda mahu menjadi saintis?
Pelajar: Ya, mungkin. Saya mahu belajar lebih banyak tentang alam sekitar.
The second answer starts with the reason because the question word was mengapa. The third starts with yes because the question began with adakah.
The mistake to watch for
A common slip is to repeat the first answer or to switch to a prepared topic.
Question: Mengapa eksperimen menarik bagi anda?
Mistaken answer: Mata pelajaran kegemaran saya ialah Sains.
The student repeated the previous statement and did not give a reason. The correction is to start from the question word: Eksperimen menarik kerana saya dapat melihat keputusan sendiri.
Check yourself
1. What should you give when asked Bagaimana anda pergi ke sekolah?
Show answer
A manner or way: Saya pergi ke sekolah dengan bas. Then add a detail, such as how long it takes.
2. Answer Adakah anda suka memasak? with a yes and a reason.
Show answer
For example: Ya, saya suka memasak kerana saya boleh mencuba resipi baharu. A no answer works too: Tidak, saya tidak suka memasak kerana ia mengambil masa.
3. You answered about sports and the examiner asks Apa lagi yang anda suka? What do you avoid?
Show answer
Avoid repeating sports. Choose something new: Selain itu, saya suka melukis. Add a short reason.
Where this leads next
When you can answer follow-ups, check how you really sound with reviewing an original recording locally. The mixed practice set then tests all skills together.
If follow-ups break your confidence, our online one-to-one Malay tuition lets a teacher ask live questions and respond to your actual answers.