Lesson 3

Overview and Lesson Objectives

Question Tags Logo

  • Course Unit: Grade 9, Semester 1, Unit 1: Who am I?

  • Topic: Lesson 3: Grammar 1 - Question Tags

  • Objectives:

    • Identify question tags in spoken and written English.

    • Write sentences describing personality traits using appropriate question tags.

Introduction to Tags

Tag Illustration

  • Definition of a Physical Tag: A small piece of paper, cloth, plastic, or other material attached to an item.

  • Function of a Physical Tag: Attached to an object to identify it or to provide specific information about it.

  • Definition of a Question Tag: A short question added at the end of a statement to turn it into a question or seek confirmation.

  • Primary Examples:

    • Statement: Your brother is a chef, $ ightarrow$ Question tag: isn't he?

    • Statement: They aren't students, $ ightarrow$ Question tag: are they?

Functions and Usage of Question Tags

  • Confirming an Opinion or Idea:

    • Used when the speaker is uncertain about something and wants verification.

    • Example: Leyla is a funny person, isn't she? (The speaker is not completely sure if Leyla is a funny person).

  • Seeking Agreement:

    • Used when the speaker is fairly certain about the statement and expects agreement.

    • Example: You are nervous, aren't you? (The speaker is fairly sure that the person is feeling nervous).

Rules for Constructing Question Tags

  • Grammatical Structure:

    • A question tag consists of an auxiliary verb followed by a pronoun matching the subject.

    • Formula: Statement+comma+Auxiliary Verb+Pronoun+?\text{Statement} + \text{comma} + \text{Auxiliary Verb} + \text{Pronoun} + \text{?}

    • Example: David likes tennis, doesn't he?

    • Auxiliary verb: doesn't

    • Pronoun: he

Pronoun Reference Puzzle

  • Polarity Rules (Positive vs. Negative):

    • Positive Statement →\rightarrow Negative Tag:

    • If the main clause is positive, the question tag must be negative.

    • Example: Alex likes tennis, doesn't he?

    • Negative Statement →\rightarrow Positive Tag:

    • If the main clause is negative, the question tag must be positive.

    • Example: They don't live here, do they?

  • Punctuation Rules:

    • Always place a comma immediately after the main statement before the question tag.

    • Always end the tag with a question mark.

Intonation and Tone of Voice

  • Rising Intonation (Tone Goes Up):

    • Used when the speaker is not sure and genuinely wants to know the answer.

    • Example: John doesn't speak Spanish, does he? ↑\uparrow

  • Falling Intonation (Tone Goes Down):

    • Used when the speaker is checking or confirming information, or making small talk.

    • Example: You're hungry, aren't you? ↓\downarrow

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Sentence and Tag Matching

Matching Question Tags Activity

  • Match the sentence to its corresponding question tag:

    1. They didn't come to the party, $ ightarrow$ b) did they?

    2. She didn't receive my invitation, $ ightarrow$ d) did she?

    3. You will tell me about your trip, $ ightarrow$ e) won't you?

    4. She is very shy, $ ightarrow$ a) isn't she?

    5. I can phone her to apologise, $ ightarrow$ c) can't I?

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

  • Fill in the missing auxiliary verb or tag component:

    • He isn't very well, is he?

    • You are paying attention, aren't you?

    • They are doctors, aren't they?

    • It's cold, isn't it?

    • She likes honey, doesn't she?

    • They don't study English, do they?

    • He didn't go to school, did he?

Exercise 3: Sentence Formation from Prompts

  • Convert the prompts into complete sentences with question tags:

    • Prompt: you / be / very bossy →\rightarrow You are very bossy, aren't you?

    • Prompt: Linda / be / friendly →\rightarrow Linda is friendly, isn't she?

    • Prompt: your mum / make / the best apple pie →\rightarrow Your mum makes the best apple pie, doesn't she?

    • Prompt: they / not like / Italian food →\rightarrow They don't like Italian food, do they?

    • Prompt: you / live / near the sea →\rightarrow You live near the sea, don't you?

Vocabulary: Personality Traits

  • competitive: Working or striving hard to win or be more successful than others.

    • Example: The competitive salesman works day and night.

  • co-operative: Willing to help or work together for a common purpose.

    • Example: He was doing his best to be co-operative.

  • helpful: Willing to give help or be useful.

    • Example: You deserve a reward for being so helpful.

  • jealous: Feeling envious or resentful of someone else's achievements, qualities, or possessions.

    • Example: He had always been jealous of his sister.

  • open-minded: Willing to consider new or different ideas and opinions.

    • Example: He was very open-minded about other people's ideas.

Listening Activity: Young Chefs Competition

  • Context: Listening track 010 (available at www.eltngl.com/bahrainmoers) featuring young chefs talking about competing in a television cookery programme.

  • Adjectives Identified in Listening:

    • Excited

    • Glad

    • Competitive

    • Open-minded

    • Bad

    • Best

    • Cool

    • Great

    • Co-operative

    • Jealous

    • Friendly

    • Helpful

  • Descriptive Sentences Formed from Listening:

    • The young chefs are excited because it is the semi final.

    • They are feeling competitive.

    • They are friendly and helpful.

    • They are co-operative and still competitive in a friendly way.

Self-Assessment and Scenario Application

  • Read each real-world situation and comment using a question tag:

    • Scenario 1: Alex and Sam refused to talk to Tim, or even listen to his ideas.

    • Question Tag Comment: They aren't open-minded, are they?

    • Scenario 2: Lucy won't join the group to clean the beach.

    • Question Tag Comment: She isn't co-operative, is she?

    • Scenario 3: "Here, let me help you clean the room."

    • Question Tag Comment: Thank you! You are always helpful, aren't you?

    • Scenario 4: Luisa really is a talented artist. I want to be like her!

    • Question Tag Comment: You aren't jealous, are you?

Writing Self-Assessment Criteria

Self-Assessment Criteria Table

  • Evaluate writing performance against the following criteria:

    • Correct Tense: Ensure verbs in the clause and tag match grammatically.

    • Spelling Accuracy: Verify correct spelling across all words.

    • Punctuation: Check for necessary commas before tags, hyphens in compound adjectives, and terminal question marks.

    • Capitalization: Capitalize proper nouns and sentence beginnings appropriately.