Is this a request or a question?

Hieu Vo · #1 (permalink) Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:35 am *Is this a request or a question?*

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #45 "Speaking: At the Supermarket", question 1

Will the driver of the blue Ford Fiesta XYZ 343 please ......... their car.

(a) send
(b) move
(c) take
(d) tow

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #45 "Speaking: At the Supermarket", answer 1

Will the driver of the blue Ford Fiesta XYZ 343 please move their car.

Correct answer: (b) move

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

This is not a question, so why "will" stands at the beginning of this sentence?
Thank you advanced,

Hieu Vo

Mister Micawber · #2 (permalink) Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:51 am *Is this a request or a question?*

.
It is a request (the question mark is missing at the end, though).
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Saneta · #3 (permalink) Mon Sep 12, 2011 15:01 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

Why not: tow?
many thanks

Mister Micawber · #4 (permalink) Mon Sep 12, 2011 15:25 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

What do you think that sentence might mean, then, Saneta?
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Saneta · #5 (permalink) Mon Sep 12, 2011 15:33 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

I was just thinking that their car can be towed by another car led by a driver.
Does 'tow' concern only ships?
I have found that it can concern also cars.

thanks

Mister Micawber · #6 (permalink) Mon Sep 12, 2011 23:28 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

Yes, 'tow' also applies to cars, but no public announcement would ask an owner to tow his car.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Saneta · #7 (permalink) Tue Sep 13, 2011 15:02 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

Mister Micawber · #8 (permalink) Tue Sep 13, 2011 15:11 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

The announcer would not know whether the car was inoperable or not.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Mdgh_English · #9 (permalink) Tue Sep 13, 2011 17:37 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

The car driver is single. Why in this question we use 'their'?
Thanks

Beeesneees · #10 (permalink) Tue Sep 13, 2011 18:37 pm *Is this a request or a question?*

It's a 'singular their' used because we do not know whether the driver is male or female, so we cannot use 'her' or 'his'.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

Mdgh_English · #11 (permalink) Wed Sep 14, 2011 3:52 am *Is this a request or a question?*

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