Basic Patterns of Intonation in Statements and Questions
Statements
Listen to these statements. Do you hear rising or falling intonation at the ends of these statements?
1. I need to do my homework.
2. Call me a little later.
3. She's from Boston.
4. She doesn't want to go.
5. Record your voice in the voice board.
What's the rule?
In statements the voice rises on the last content word, and then falls to level one. This tells the listener that you have completed your sentence. This is called rising/falling intonation.
Yes/No Questions
Listen to these yes/no questions. Do you hear rising or falling intonation at the ends of these questions?
1. Do you like coffee?
2. Are you from Maryland?
3. Hasn't she finished yet?
4. Will I see you soon?
5. Should we go now?
What's the rule?
In a yes/no question, the voice rises on the last stressed syllable and continues on the high tone to the end of the question. This is called rising/rising intonation.
Wh- (Information) Questions
Listen to these information questions. Do you hear rising or falling intonation at the ends of these questions?
1. Where are you from?
2. How many do you have?
3. When will they arrive?
4. Why didn't she go?
5. How much does it cost?
What's the rule?
In wh-questions, the voice rises on the last stressed syllable, but then falls to level 1 for the end of the question. This is called rising/falling intonation.
Now you...
Download the following worksheet: "Basic Intonation Patterns" and decide if the statements and questions have rising/falling or rising/rising intonation. Record the sentences in the voice board: "Basic Intonation Patterns."
