当追问让你措手不及时，做三件事：用一个短语争取片刻时间，从自己的生活中找一件真实的事，再把它连回问题。你不需要聪明的答案，只需要切题且能让对话继续的答案。
为什么追问感觉更难？
第一个问题通常是你练习过的。第二个问题则检验你能否在现场听懂并回应。压力会让大脑去找”完美答案”，而这正是让你卡住的原因。
追问不需要完美，只需要一句真实且切题的话，其余的都可以由它展开。
可以用哪些步骤？
- 争取片刻时间。 “That is an interesting question.” 或 “Let me think for a second.”
- 用自己的话复述关键意思。 这也能确认你听懂了。
- 给出真实的内容。 一段经历、你认识的人，或你见过的事。
- 连回问题。 “So I think… because…”
每句话都保持简短。用四个简单的句子就能搭出好回答。
例题详解
对话开始得很顺利：“Do you like learning languages?” “Yes, I enjoy it, because it lets me talk to more people.” 接着是追问：“Do you think everyone should learn a third language?”
第一步，争取时间： “That is an interesting question.”
第二步，复述： “You are asking if a third language should be for everybody.”
第三步，真实的内容： “My cousin learned Japanese at school, and she said it was hard, but she liked it.”
第四步，连回问题： “So I do not think it should be compulsory for everybody, but it should be available for those who want it, because people learn more easily when they are interested.”
完整回答： “That is an interesting question. You are asking if a third language should be for everybody. My cousin learned Japanese at school, and she said it was hard, but she liked it. So I do not think it should be compulsory for everybody, but it should be available for those who want it, because people learn more easily when they are interested.”
这位学生事先并不知道答案，而是用四个步骤，从真实的事情中把它搭了出来。
要留意的错误
常见的失误是说一句 “I don’t know” 就停住。
错误回答： “I don’t know.”
这结束了这一轮交流。对方只能再问新问题，而学生没有提供任何可以评估的语言。
改正的方法是诚实地继续说：“I have not thought about it before, but I think… because…” 这句话承认了现状，又给出了内容。“I don’t know” 之后再补两句通常就够了。
自我检测
先大声说出你的回应，再打开参考答案。
1. 在 “Do you use social media?” 之后，追问是 “Should children under thirteen be allowed to use it?” 请用三四句话回答。
查看答案
一种可能的回答：“That is a difficult question. I think younger children should have limits, because they may not know how to protect their privacy. My little brother is nine, and my parents only let him use a shared tablet. So I would say yes, but only with adult supervision.”
2. 你对 “space travel” 这个话题所知不多。追问是 “Would you like to visit another planet?” 安全的第一句话是什么？
查看答案
“I have not thought about it much, but let me try.” 然后说一个诚实的感受，例如兴奋或害怕，并给出理由。
3. 为什么只说 “I don’t know” 是薄弱的回应？
查看答案
它没有给对方任何可以接话的语言，对话就此中断。补上理由或经历，对话才能继续。
下一步
本模块的最后一课讲想不起需要的词时怎么办：词汇出现空白后让对话继续。你也可以用私人口语录音工具录下追问的回答，再听回放。
意料之外的问题，和真人搭档练习容易得多。我们的老师可以在English as a Second Language 线上一对一补习中做到这一点。