Communication Beginnings: An Introductory Listening and Speaking Text for English Language Learners

Chapter 3 30 In the English language, the sound of a person’s voice goes up or down when they say the last word of a question or sentence. This difference in sound is called “intonation”. Study the examples below. Listen to the different sounds of the speaker’s voice here WH questions = falling intonation (voice goes down) • Where are you from? • What is your job? Yes/No questions = rising intonation (up) • Are you a student? • Is he your brother? Statements = falling intonation (down) • The class is on Monday. • The bus stop is next to my apartment. Exclamations (excited speech!) = rising then falling intonation (up then down) • That’s amazing! • Wow! Practicing Intonation