A question mark is placed at the end of a sentence that asks a question. Questions end in both rising and falling intonation. If the sentence ends in falling intonation, the voice tone goes down at the end of the sentence, much like musical notes on a piano. If a sentence ends in rising intonation, the voice tone goes up at the end of the sentence.
Falling Intonation
Questions that begin with who, what, when, where, why, which, and how (often referred to as “wh-questions”) usually end in falling intonation.
Examples:
What time is it?
Who is she?
When is he coming?
Who is she?
When is he coming?
Also, commands and statements end in falling intonation. Commands and statements end in a period.
Examples:
Examples:
Commands
Shut the door.
Shut the door.
Write your name.
Statements
Rising Intonation
Questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no” answer (often referred to as “yes/no questions”)
usually end in rising intonation. The voice tone goes up at the end of the sentence.
Examples:
usually end in rising intonation. The voice tone goes up at the end of the sentence.
Examples:
Is it five o’clock yet?
Is that Mrs. Smith?
Is he coming?
Is that Mrs. Smith?
Is he coming?
In addition, wh-questions that ask for clarification or restating end in rising intonation.
Examples:
What did you just say?Examples:
What did you say your name was?
Teaching tip adapted from the Reading Horizons method found in the Reading Horizons Elevate Supplementary Materials Teacher's Manual published by Reading Horizons. Used with permission.
For additional ESL teaching tips:
Click here to read about the pronunciation of -ed.
Click here to read about pronouncing plurals.
Click here to read about voiced and voiceless sounds.
Click here to read about syllable stress and the schwa.
Click here to read about adding the suffixes -ing, -ed, -er, and -est.
Click here to read about teaching common suffixes.
Click here to read about teaching common prefixes.
Click here to read about decoding multi-syllabic words.
Click here to read about spelling words that end in S, F, and Z.
Click here to read about other sounds for c and g.
Click here to read about adding the suffixes -ing, -ed, -er, and -est.
Click here to read about teaching common suffixes.
Click here to read about teaching common prefixes.
Click here to read about decoding multi-syllabic words.
Click here to read about spelling words that end in S, F, and Z.
Click here to read about other sounds for c and g.
tnks for this document :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! I'm glad you found this resource helpful!
ReplyDeleteThanks information on your blog has been very helpful for me as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that, Sharon. Thank you!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI would like to know where I can find the audio for this lesson.
Ortensia, you can click on the "listen now" button at the top of the blog post to hear the post read aloud, but there are no guarantees that the intonation won't be compromised with the computerized voice that is employed. :) The Reading Horizons software teaches these concepts with audio (voice narration). Otherwise, I would work with (or have students work with) a competent English speaker to confirm proper intonation and pronunciation.
DeleteThanks for your interest!
cristal clear...thx
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog!
DeleteIt is really helpful thx
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
Deletereally helpfull lession....thanx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found this post helpful!
DeleteThis really helped me a lot :)) thank you thank you thank you maam :))
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
Deletethanks for this.it really helped me....
ReplyDeleteVery helpful. Nice blog. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad this was helpful to you, Roniel!
DeleteWow, I think all of the lessons that i am searching is here thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
DeleteYour blog is fantastic! I have been engrossed in teaching listening and reading for quite some time and your lessons just fit in. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Reynante!
DeleteThank You Heidi. This is really Helpful .
ReplyDeleteGlad you find it helpful!
Deletethanks
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks - but WHY do wh- questions end on a falling tone?
ReplyDeleteGood question, Rod. I don't know why. But please let me know if you find out!
Deleteheidi you help me to my problem
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found this helpful!
DeleteDoes "how" belong to wh questions?
ReplyDeleteYes, "how" questions fall in line with the intonation of "wh-" questions. Thank you for clarifying!
Delete