Intonation to Distinguish Commands, Questions and Statements – Basic 6 English Lesson Note (First Term)

Intonation Patterns Review

Commands – Falling intonation ↘ (firm and direct)

• Close the door. ↘
• Please sit down. ↘
• Stop making noise. ↘

Questions

• Yes/No questions – Rising intonation ↗
  1. Are you ready? ↗
  2. Did you see him? ↗
• Wh-questions – Falling intonation ↘
  1. What is your name? ↘
  2. Where are you going? ↘

Statements – Falling intonation ↘ (matter-of-fact)

• The school is closed today. ↘
• I finished my homework. ↘
• She lives in Abuja. ↘

Exercise A – Identify and Practice

Read these sentences. Write C (Command), Q (Question), or S (Statement):

1. Open your textbooks to page fifteen. ___
2. When did you arrive at school? ___
3. The library is very quiet today. ___
4. Can you help me with this problem? ___
5. Please submit your assignments now. ___
6. My brother studies at the university. ___

Practice Activity: Work in pairs. One person reads a sentence, the other identifies if it’s a command, question, or statement.