Inversion questions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can ask questions using subject-verb inversion.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Je prends', 'tu prends', 'il, elle prend' are the singular forms of the -re verb 'prendre', to take, taking.
- The same verb endings can be applied to the -re verbs 'apprendre', to learn, and 'comprendre', to understand.
- 'Je dis', 'tu dis' and 'il, elle dit' are the singular forms of the -re verb 'dire', to say, saying.
- Like intonation questions, an inversion question is another way to ask a question in French.
- To form French yes/no or closed inversion questions, swap the subject pronoun and verb, inserting a hyphen in-between.
Keywords
Dire - French -re verb meaning to say, to tell
Prendre - French -re verb meaning to take, taking
Inversion question - when the subject pronoun and the verb switch place to form a question
Common misconception
A closed question requires 'do/does' or 'am/are/is' at the start in French, like in English.
Closed questions in French do not start with 'do/does' or 'am/are/is', they simply invert the subject and the verb: tu es anglaise, es-tu anglaise ?
Teacher tip
Once pupils have practised the speaking task (C3b), ask for volunteers to perform their conversations at the front of the class; this can build pupils' confidence in speaking French and public speaking kills.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the French and the English.
mother
father
brother
sister
son
daughter
Q2.Match the adjectives
well-behaved
young
tall, big
short, small
happy
open
Q3.Choose the correct meaning.
Q4.Choose the correct meaning.
Q5.Add the correct verb ending: Je prend_
Q6.Add the correct verb ending: il di_
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Choose the correct translation: Nous sommes jeunes, sages et heureux.
Q2.Match the French and the English.
to learn, learning
to understand, understanding
to say, saying
to take, taking
Q3.Translate into French: He says hello.
Q4.Translate into French: I understand the question.
Q5.How do you form an inversion question?
Q6.Change this statement into an inversion question: tu aimes le sport.
To help you plan your 7 French lesson on: Inversion questions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 French lesson on: Inversion questions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 French lessons from the School life: inversion questions and singular common -RE & -IR verbs unit, dive into the full secondary French curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.