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      In class: intonation questions

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

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

      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.

      Teacher tip

      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.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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

      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

      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.

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