Question

What can be said about the intonation of "Yes or No questions"

• A. Rising
• B. No intonation
• C. No fixed rule
• D. Falling

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Falling

Intonation in English Questions

• Yes/No Questions: These questions typically expect a 'yes' or 'no' answer.
• Rising Intonation: In standard English, Yes/No questions are usually characterized by a rising intonation at the end. This rise signals to the listener that a yes or no answer is expected.
• Example: "Are you going to the party? ↗" (The arrow indicates rising pitch).
• Wh- Questions (Information Questions): These questions start with words like 'what', 'where', 'when', 'why', 'who', 'how', etc., and seek specific information.
• Falling Intonation: Wh- questions typically end with a falling intonation. This fall indicates that the speaker is providing information or expecting a detailed answer, not just a simple yes or no.
• Example: "What is your name? ↘" (The arrow indicates falling pitch).
• Contrastive Statement (Statements used as questions): Sometimes, a statement can be turned into a question by using a falling intonation, often implying surprise or seeking confirmation.
• Example: "You're leaving already? ↘" (This sounds like a statement but, with the falling intonation, it functions as a question seeking confirmation or expressing surprise).
• Competitive Exam Relevance:
• Understanding intonation patterns is crucial for spoken English comprehension tests and pronunciation assessments in competitive exams.
• Misinterpreting intonation can lead to incorrect answers in listening sections where tone and pitch convey meaning.
• Familiarity with these patterns helps in producing more natural and comprehensible spoken English, which can be an advantage in interviews or group discussions as part of the selection process.