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Lesson 5 of 14
  • Year 3

In class: intonation questions

Learning outcomes

I can use ‘je suis’, ‘oui’ and ‘non’ to ask questions.

I can apply my knowledge of silent final consonants to unfamiliar names.

Lesson 5 of 14
New
New
  • Year 3

In class: intonation questions

Learning outcomes

I can use ‘je suis’, ‘oui’ and ‘non’ to ask questions.

I can apply my knowledge of silent final consonants to unfamiliar names.

Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. Silent final consonants -s, -t, -x and -d can be practised with words like ‘dans’, ‘mot’, ‘prix’ and ‘grand’.
  2. French statements become questions by raising tone of voice at the end.
  3. There is a space before a ? in French and also before a ! e.g. Salut !

Keywords

  • SFC (Silent Final Consonant) - silent letter (d, s, t, x) at the end of a word

  • Intonation - the rise and fall of the voice in speaking

  • Je suis - meaning 'I am'

  • Il est - meaning 'he is'

  • Elle est - meaning 'she is'

Common misconception

Changing intonation doesn't affect meaning.

If you raise your voice at the end, you can turn a statement into a question.


To help you plan your year 3 French lesson on: In class: intonation questions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

To make the most of short read aloud activities, teachers may consider a solo-duo-ensemble cycle whereby pupils say the words three times: once to themselves, once to a partner and once all together.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Read the following words. Which has an SFC?

Correct answer: mot
Correct answer: lit
cheval
sac
Correct answer: dans

Q2.
Which of the following sentences are in the feminine form?

Correct answer: Je suis présente.
Il est absent.
Correct answer: Elle est absente.
Correct answer: Elle est présente.
Il est présent.

Q3.
Choose the correct adjective. Il est...

Correct answer: absent
absente
présente

Q4.
How would you say 'hi' to a friend in French?

Correct Answer: Salut !, Salut, salut, salut!, Salut!

Q5.
How would you say 'hello' to a teacher in French?

Correct Answer: Bonjour !, bonjour, Bonjour, Bonjour!, bonjour!

Q6.
How do you say 'she is here' in French?

Correct Answer: Elle est ici., elle est ici, Elle est ici

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The letters d, s, t, x are often at the end of a word. They are SFCs.

Correct Answer: silent, Silent

Q2.
Which of these French names end in an SFC?

Correct answer: Robert
Sara
Omar
Correct answer: Margot
Correct answer: Lucas

Q3.
How do you say 'goodbye' in French?

Salut !
Bonjour !
Correct answer: Au revoir !

Q4.
Which of the following is correct?

Salut!
Correct answer: Salut !
Correct answer: Elle est ici ?
Il est absent?
Correct answer: Au revoir !

Q5.
How do you say 'yes' in French?

Correct Answer: Oui, oui

Q6.
How do you change your intonation to make a statement a question?

Lower your voice at the end of the statement.
Correct answer: Raise your voice at the end of the statement.
Read the statement with no change to intonation.