Unit 44. Wasn't It Terrible? Are You Crazy?

Questions (2)

Unit 44; Part A

Questions are ofen used to make a comment or exclamation rather thanto find out or check information. An answer is not necessarily expected.

Negative yes-no questions are commonlyused to show surprise, pleasure, etc., particularly when we encourageothers to agree with us. These usually have a falling tone:
          WASn't it TERrible ↓?   DIDn't she sound riDICulous ↓?
          HAVen't I been STUpid ↓?   AREN'T they BEAUtiful ↓?

In informal English we can also use positive yes-no questions, particularly to express criticism. These often have a rising tone:
         Are you CRAzy ↑?    Have you gone MAD ↑?

Wh- questions are also used to make a comment, particularly ones with modal verbs. These usually have a falling tone:
         HOW was I supposed to know ↓?   WHAT'S it to do with YOU ↓?

Unit 44; Part B

Sometimes we ask a question and suggest a possible answer ourselvesbefore the hearer replies. As the purpose of these possible answers isto make sure that what we think we know is correct, they usually have afall-rising tone (see Unit 43):
               Where are you off to? The SUpermarket ↓↑?
               How are you getting there? with NICola ↓↑?
               What are you going to wear? NOT that old JUMper again↓↑?
44.1.jpg

Unit 44; Part C

We can use questions to give instructions or make suggestions. Theseusually have a falling tone, and often (but not always) include modalverbs:
            will you PLEASE leave it aLONE ↓?    COULD we have the BILL, please ↓?
           WOULD you turn the LIGHT off ↓?       COULDn't you just reFUSE ↓?
           WHY don't you go by TRAIN ↓?           HOW about putting it over THERE ↓?

Exercises

1 Do you think the questions are more likely to have a rising or a falling tone?

Do you think the questions in B's responses are more likely to have a rising tone (put ↑, in the box) or a falling tone (↓)?

Example: A: I thought Madrid played brilliantly. B: Weren't they amazing? ↓
1   A: I've just got a job in Alaska. B: Are you serious? ___
2   A: I don't think any of these jackets will fit. B: How about this one? ___
3   A: You didn't tell your parents what you're going to do, did you? B: Certainly not. Do you think I'm stupid? ___
4   A: Great weather we're having. B: Isn't it fantastic? ___
5   A: So did you lend Barry your motorbike? B: Barry! Are you out of your mind? ___
6   A: Where do you want me to go? B: Can you stand over there? ___
7   A: What do you think of my new skirt? B: You can't go out dressed like that. Have you no shame? ___
8   A: Roz's exam results were good, weren't they? B: Didn't she do well? ___
9   A: The match is on TV tonight. B: Who cares? ___
10 A: David looks awful. B: Do you mind? ___ That's my brother you're talking about.

Now listen and check your answers. Then listen again. Press 'pause'before each B part and read it aloud. Then press 'play' again andcompare your pronunciation with what follows.

2 Choose an answer from the box to complete each conversation.

Choose an answer from the box to complete each conversation.

All of them ~~A cake~~ Any of it This evening DrIreland Because your friends told you to With her parents Nothing serious

Example: A: What are you making? A cake ?
                B: Yes, it's for Linda's birthday.
1   A: When are they supposed to be back? _________________?
      B: I think so.
2   A: Where's she living now? _________________?
     B: Yes, since last month.
3   A: How many of your cousins have you invited? _________________?
     B: Just a few.
4   A Why did you do such a silly thing? _________________?
     B: I'm really sorry.
5   A: How much of the assignment have you written so far? _________________?
     B: A couple of pages.
6   A: What's wrong with your mother? _________________?
     B: No, she'll be fine soon.
7   A: Which doctor did you want to see? _________________?
     B: Yes, please, if he's free.

Now listen and check your answers. Then listen again. Press 'pause'before each A part and read it aloud. Use a falling tone in the firstquestion and a fall-rising tone in the possible answer. Then press'play' again and compare your pronunciation with what follows.
Example: What are you making ↓? A cake ↓↑?

Follow up: Hereare some more common short questions usually said with a falling tone.Do you know what they mean? What for? How come? Why not? What's up? Sowhat?

Unit 43 Unit 44 Unit 45