✨ Lesson 5: Yes/No Questions with 'be'
We have learned how to make positive ("I am happy") and negative ("I am not sad") sentences. Today, we will learn how to ask a simple type of question1: a Yes/No question.
A Yes/No question is one that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no".
The Golden Rule: Invert!
To change a statement with 'be' into a Yes/No question, we invert2 (or swap) the subject and the verb. The verb (am, is, are) moves to the front.
Statement: [Subject] + [am/is/are] ...
Question: [Am/Is/Are] + [Subject] ... ?
Remember to add a question mark ( ? ) at the end!
| Statement | Question |
|---|---|
| He is a tourist. | Is he a tourist? |
| The market is open. | Is the market open? |
| You are from Kampot. | Are you from Kampot? |
| They are busy. | Are they busy? |
How to Give Short Answers3
We usually don't just say "yes" or "no". A polite short answer uses the pronoun and the verb.
| Question | Positive Answer | Negative Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Is she a teacher? | Yes, she is. | No, she isn't. |
| Are they expensive? | Yes, they are. | No, they aren't. |
Be Careful! When someone asks "Are you...?", you answer with "I am" or "I'm not".
Question: Are you tired?
Answer: Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
🧠 Practice Quiz: Create the Question & Answer
Change the statement into a question. Then, give a short answer based on the clue (Yes/No).
- Statement: It is sunny today. (Yes)
→ Question: Is it sunny today?
→ Answer: Yes, it is. - Statement: They are fishermen. (No)
→ Question: Are they fishermen?
→ Answer: No, they aren't. - Statement: You are a student. (Yes)
→ Question: Are you a student?
→ Answer: Yes, I am.
📝 Homework: Ask About Kampot
Write two Yes/No questions about Kampot. Then, write a true short answer for each.
Example: Question: Is Kampot a big city? Answer: No, it isn't.
Question 1: ___________________________________?
Answer 1: ___________________________________.
Question 2: ___________________________________?
Answer 2: ___________________________________.