The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

[Rachel Adams]

The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

I have been told by native speakers that "this", "that", "those", "these" are used in questions while "it" and "they" are used in anwers. As in "What is this?" "It's a book." Or "This is a book." "What are these?" "They are books." Or "These are books."
But in "English File" by Christina Latham-Koenig and Clive Oxenden I came across these examples: "What is it?" It's an umbrella." And "What are they?" "They are watches."
Could you please explain this use?

 

[5jj]

Re: The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

We use 'it/they' if we are referring to something already mentioned.

Tom (picking up something he has noticed on the floor): What's this?

Tom (holding up something): I've just found this.
Mary: What is it?What do Christina Latham-Koenig and Clive Oxenden say about their examples?

 

[Rachel Adams]

Re: The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

What do Christina Latham-Koenig and Clive Oxenden say about their examples?

It's in a test. :-| Yes, I am familiar with the use you mentioned. But they don't give this explanation.

 

[5jj]

Re: The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

Can you find an explanation in the pages preceding the test?
Alternatively, can you give us an example of a complete test question?

 

[Rachel Adams]

Re: The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

Can you find an explanation in the pages preceding the test?
Alternatively, can you give us an example of a complete test question?

The only explanation the book gives is the difference between "this" and "that", "those" and "these". It shows the objecs near the speaker and and far from them. The complete question was "What is it?" The options were: "It's a: an umbrella, b: a umbrella, c: umbrella. And "What are they?" "They are a: watches, b: a watch, c: watchs.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

The only explanation the book gives is the difference between "this" and "that", and "those" and "these". It shows [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] objects near the speaker and and far from them.

The complete question was "What is it?" "It's ..."

[STRIKE]The options were: "It's[/STRIKE]

a: an umbrella
b: a umbrella
c: umbrella

And "What are they?" "They are ..."

a: watches
b: a watch
c: watches

Please note my corrections and my improvements to your layout above.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Re: The use of "these", "those", "this", "that" instead of "it" and "they".

Please note my corrections and my improvements to your layout above.

"Watchs" were given in the book as an example of an error. Could tell me why it is wrong to use "the objects"?