---
id: 6705425a4b3df216cb6de9a7
title: Task 17
challengeType: 19
dashedName: task-17
lang: en-US
---

<!-- (Audio) James: That's when I noticed something odd. -->

<!-- SPEAKING -->

# --instructions--

Listen to the audio and answer the question below.

# --questions--

## --text--

How could Lisa ask **in a short way** about James's discovery in the error logs?

## --answers--

`What was the odd thing that you found when you were reviewing the error logs?`

### --feedback--

Even though this is exactly what she wants to know, it is not a short question.

---

`What was it?`

## --video-solution--

2

# --explanation--

James talks about `something odd`. Lisa asks him to identify what this odd thing (`it`) was by asking `What was it?`. `Was` is used because it is a singular thing (`something odd`) and it was found in the past, when James reviewed the error logs.

Remember that, in questions, you normally invert verb and subject, so `it was` becomes `was it`. For example:

- `It was fun!` - You're saying you liked an activity.

- `Was it fun?` - You're asking the other person if they liked it.

# --scene--

```json
{
  "setup": {
    "background": "interview-room3.png",
    "characters": [
      {
        "character": "James",
        "position": {
          "x": 50,
          "y": 15,
          "z": 1.2
        },
        "opacity": 0
      }
    ],
    "audio": {
      "filename": "B1_2-1.mp3",
      "startTime": 1,
      "startTimestamp": 14.24,
      "finishTimestamp": 16.12
    }
  },
  "commands": [
    {
      "character": "James",
      "opacity": 1,
      "startTime": 0
    },
    {
      "character": "James",
      "startTime": 1,
      "finishTime": 2.88,
      "dialogue": {
        "text": "That's when I noticed something odd.",
        "align": "center"
      }
    },
    {
      "character": "James",
      "opacity": 0,
      "startTime": 3.38
    }
  ]
}
```
