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Difficulty: MediumIntonation Patterns

In English dialogue, when a speaker attaches a question tag to a statement—such as in 'She hasn't arrived yet, has she?'—and delivers the tag with an ascending pitch, what function does this intonation serve?

  1. A
    It signals that the speaker is certain of the fact and merely expects confirmation.
  2. It indicates that the speaker is genuinely unsure and is requesting information.Answer
  3. C
    It marks the utterance as a command requiring an immediate physical response.
  4. D
    It shows that the speaker is giving a list of options for the listener to choose from.

Answer

The ascending pitch on the tag indicates that the speaker is genuinely unsure and is requesting information.
When a question tag is uttered with an ascending pitch pattern, it functions as a genuine inquiry. The speaker does not know the answer and is asking the listener for information, just like a standard yes/no question.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence structure and the specific intonation cue provided.
The utterance contains a statement followed by a question tag ('has she?') delivered with an ascending (rising) pitch.
Intonation on question tags alters the communicative function between seeking confirmation and asking a genuine question.
2
Apply standard Received Pronunciation (RP) rules for tag question intonation.
A tag pronounced with an ascending pitch acts as a true polar question (yes/no question), signaling that the speaker lacks certainty.
Falling pitch on a tag implies the speaker expects agreement, while rising pitch implies genuine doubt and solicits information.

Key Concept

Intonation functions of question tags in English phonology
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Topics

Intonation Patterns

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