Interrogative Form: (yes/no) + Short Answers
To form a question using “to be” in the simple present tense, we invert the subject and the verb. Here’s the general structure:
“Is/Are/Am + Subject + Rest of the Sentence?”
Let’s look at some examples:
Yes/No Questions
Be + Subject + Complement?
- Is she your sister?
- Are you ready?
- Am I late?
- Is it cold outside?
- Are they coming to the party?
- Are we there yet?
In these examples, notice how the subject and the verb ‘is,’ ‘are,’ or ‘am’ are inverted to form a question. Encourage students to practice forming their own questions using “to be” and the subjects they are learning. This will help them become more comfortable with constructing questions in the simple present tense.
Exercise 1, instructions:
Instructions: Use the verb to be to complete each question
Exercise 2, instructions:
Instructions: Listen and repeat the short answers for each subject:
| Yes, I am | No, I am not |
| Yes, you are | No, you are not |
| Yes, he is | No, he is not |
| Yes, she is | No, she is not |
| Yes, it is | No, it is not |
| Yes, we are | No, we are not |
| Yes, they are | No, they are not |
| Yes, you are | No, you are not |
Exercise 3, instructions:
Instructions: Listen and repeat the short answers for each subject using contractions
| Yes, I am | No, I’m not | |
| Yes, you are | No, you’re not | No, you aren’t |
| Yes, he is | No, he’s not | No, he isn’t |
| Yes, she is | No, she’s not | No, she isn’t |
| Yes, it is | No, it’s not | No, it isn’t |
| Yes, we are | No, we’re not | No, we aren’t |
| Yes, they are | No, they’re not | No, they aren’t |
| Yes, you are | No, you’re not | No, you aren’t |
Exercise 4, instructions:
Instructions: use short answers and answer the questions, there are affirmative and negative answers
Please do not use contractions!
Exercise 5, instructions:
Instructions: Please listen to the questions and answer them.
1. Answer affirmative
2. Answer negative
Do it again (second time)
1. Answer negative
2. Answer affirmative
| Are you a student? | Yes, I am / No, I am not |
| Is she your sister? | Yes, she is / No, she is not |
| Are they your friends? | Yes, they are / No, they aren’t |
| Is he a doctor? | Yes, he is / No, he isn’t |
| Are we going to the party tonight? | Yes, we are / No, we aren’t |
| Is it raining outside? | Yes, it is / No, it is not |
| Are you ready for the exam? | Yes, I am / No, I am not |
| Is she from Spain? | Yes, she is / No, she is not |
| Are they coming to the meeting? | Yes, they are / No, they aren’t |
| Is he tall? | Yes, he is / No, he isn’t |
| Are we late for the appointment? | Yes, we are / No, we aren’t |
| Is it hot in here? | Yes, it is / No, it is not |
| Are you interested in learning a new language? | Yes, I am / No, I’m not |
| Is she a good singer? | Yes, she is / No, she is not |
| Are they staying at the hotel? | Yes, they are / No, they aren’t |
| Is he a football fan? | Yes, he is / No, he isn’t |
| Are we going on vacation next week? | Yes, we are / No, we aren’t |
| Is it important to exercise regularly? | Yes, it is / No, it is not |
| Are you busy right now? | Yes, I am / No, I am not |
| Is she happy with her job? | Yes, she is / No, she is not |
Exercise 6, instructions:
Please answer the questions
