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Intonation Patterns

19 questions

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Question 1Question →

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?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: It indicates that the speaker is genuinely unsure and is requesting information.

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
Question 2Question →

In standard English oral speech, pitch contour varies according to the sentence type and speaker intent. Which intonation pattern is standard for the polar question: 'Are you coming to the meeting?'

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Rising tune

Answer

Rising tune
In standard English phonology, polar (Yes/No) questions are articulated with a rising intonation tune to signal to the listener that confirmation or information is being requested.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical structure of the sentence in the stem.
The utterance 'Are you coming to the meeting?' is a polar question (expecting a 'Yes' or 'No' answer).
Intonation patterns in standard Received Pronunciation (RP) depend directly on the utterance function.
2
Apply the standard RP intonation rule for polar questions.
The pitch rises starting on the nucleus (last accented syllable) and continues rising to the end of the sentence.
A rising tune indicates non-finality and prompts the listener for confirmation or verification.

Key Concept

Intonation Patterns for Polar Questions
Estimated Time:45s
Question 3Question →

During a workplace conversation, a manager utters the statement, 'You haven't submitted the quarterly financial summary yet, have you?' with a distinct upward pitch movement on the tag 'have you?'. What does this specific intonation pattern indicate about the manager's state of mind?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: The manager is expressing genuine uncertainty and asking a real question to discover whether the summary has been submitted.

Answer

The manager is expressing genuine uncertainty and asking a real question to discover whether the summary has been submitted.
In standard English intonation, when a question tag carries a rising pitch movement, it functions as a genuine question. The speaker does not know the answer for sure and is seeking information rather than confirmation. Therefore, the option describing the manager as expressing genuine uncertainty and asking a real question is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the syntactic structure of the utterance.
The utterance consists of a negative declarative statement followed by an affirmative tag: 'You haven't..., have you?'
Identifying the clause and tag structure is necessary to apply intonation rules.
2
Identify the pitch movement specified on the question tag.
The pitch movement on the tag 'have you?' is described as an upward pitch movement (rising intonation).
Intonation contours on question tags govern their pragmatic meaning in English.
3
Apply standard English phonological rules for question tag intonation.
A rising intonation on a question tag signifies that the speaker is doubtful or genuinely seeking information rather than confirming an established belief.
Falling intonation on tags signals confirmation/agreement, while rising intonation signals genuine inquiry and uncertainty.

Key Concept

Pragmatic function of rising intonation on tag questions
Question 4Question →

In Received Pronunciation (RP) English, intonation plays a crucial role in altering the pragmatic meaning of utterances. Consider the statement-form sentence: "You are coming with us tomorrow." If this sentence is uttered with a pitch rise starting on the syllable "-mor-" and continuing to the end of the word ("tomorrow"), which of the following correctly identifies the intonation pattern used and the speaker's intention?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: A rising intonation tune, converting the declarative sentence into a question to express doubt, surprise, or seek confirmation.

Answer

The intonation used is a rising intonation tune, which transforms the syntactically declarative sentence into a question seeking confirmation or expressing surprise.
The correct answer accurately recognizes that a upward pitch movement on the final nucleus of a declarative sentence constitutes a rising tune. In English intonation rules, using a rising pitch pattern on a statement structure changes its communicative function from asserting a fact to asking for confirmation or expressing surprise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pitch movement described in the stem.
The stem describes a pitch rise on the nucleus syllable '-mor-' extending to the end of 'tomorrow'. This defines a rising tune (↗).
Intonation tunes are categorized based on the movement of pitch on the tonic/nuclear syllable.
2
Determine the grammatical structure versus its prosodic realization.
Syntactically, 'You are coming with us tomorrow' is a declarative statement. Prosodically, applying a rising tune converts it function-wise into a Yes/No (polar or echo) question.
In English phonology, declarative sentences spoken with a rising tune act as questions seeking verification or showing doubt/surprise.
3
Evaluate the options to match both the tune identification and its pragmatic interpretation.
The correct selection identifies the tune as rising and its intent as expressing doubt, surprise, or seeking confirmation.
Falling tunes are reserved for standard statements and commands, whereas rising tunes on statements convey non-finality, inquiry, or confirmation requests.

Key Concept

Functions of Falling vs. Rising Tunes in English Intonation
Question 5Question →

Complete the statement below with the appropriate phonological term. Which intonation contour correctly completes the sentence?

Fill in the blanks below

In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), information-seeking questions that begin with interrogative words such as 'who', 'where', or 'why' typically end with a tune.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Wh-questions in standard English take a falling intonation pattern at the end of the sentence.
In standard English oral delivery, Wh-questions (such as 'Where are you going?') naturally drop in pitch on the last stressed syllable, requiring a falling intonation tune.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the category of question presented in the prompt.
Questions starting with words like 'who', 'where', or 'why' are classified as Wh-questions (information questions).
These questions seek specific information rather than a simple confirmation.
2
Apply standard English intonation rules to Wh-questions.
Wh-questions naturally end with a falling pitch contour.
In standard RP spoken English, pitch drops on the final nuclear syllable of Wh-questions to signal completion.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours for Wh-Questions
Question 6Question →

Match each spoken English utterance on the left with its correct standard Received Pronunciation (RP) intonation contour pattern on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

"You haven't seen my keys, have you?" (uttered with genuine doubt, seeking information)
"Which candidate won the departmental election?" (uttered as a direct information request)
"Are we travelling by air, road, or rail?" (uttered as a complete list of choices)
"He is very intelligent..." (uttered with an implied reservation or contrast)

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings match each utterance to its standard RP intonation contour based on pragmatic context and grammatical structure: the doubtful tag question pairs with a rising tune on the tag; the direct Wh-question pairs with a falling tune; the alternative question pairs with rising tunes on non-final items and a falling tune on the final item; and the statement expressing reservation pairs with a fall-rise tune.
Each utterance strictly follows standard Received Pronunciation intonation rules: doubtful tag questions take a rising tune to indicate open inquiry; direct Wh-questions take a falling tune; alternative questions rise on non-final options and fall on the last; and statements conveying reservation take a fall-rise tune.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze tag question pragmatics
Utterances with tag questions expressing genuine doubt or seeking confirmation take a rising tune on the tag.
In Received Pronunciation (RP), tag questions carrying genuine uncertainty function like polar questions and require a rising pitch contour.
2
Analyze Wh-question intonation
Standard Wh-questions asking for specific information take a falling tune on the nucleus.
Direct questions beginning with question words (who, which, where, why) default to a falling pitch contour in RP.
3
Analyze alternative question structure
Listing alternatives requires a rising tone on preceding items and a falling tone on the last choice.
Incomplete list items signal continuation via rising pitch, while the final item signals completion via falling pitch.
4
Analyze implied reservation or non-finality
Statements that carry implied reservations, contrast, or incomplete thoughts utilize a fall-rise tune.
The fall-rise contour pragmatically signals that the speaker has additional unstated thoughts or qualifications.

Key Concept

Standard Intonation Contours and Pragmatic Functions in RP English
Question 7Question →

In standard English speech, which intonation pattern is typically used when uttering a polar (Yes/No) question, such as 'Did you submit the assignment?'

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Rising tune

Answer

Polar (Yes/No) questions standardly employ a rising intonation tune.
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP) English, polar or Yes/No questions expecting a 'yes' or 'no' response finish with a rising tune, indicating an open query awaiting confirmation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the sentence type of the utterance
The utterance 'Did you submit the assignment?' is a polar question (Yes/No question).
Determining the grammatical type of the sentence is essential for selecting the correct RP intonation rule.
2
Apply standard Received Pronunciation (RP) intonation rules for polar questions
Polar questions take a rising tune pitch movement at the nucleus (tonic syllable).
In English phonology, questions expecting confirmation or a yes/no answer rise in pitch towards the end.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours for Sentence Types
Estimated Time:45s
Question 8Question →

Read the phonological rule regarding intonation contours in complex speech structures and complete the passage below. Which intonation tunes correctly fill the blanks?

Fill in the blanks below

In Received Pronunciation (RP), an introductory adverbial clause expressing incompleteness, such as 'As soon as the meeting ends,', typically takes a tune, whereas the final choice in an alternative question, such as 'Would you like tea, coffee, or juice?', takes a tune.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank requires 'rising' (or 'rising tune') and the second blank requires 'falling' (or 'falling tune').
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), introductory subordinate clauses (non-final clauses) carry a rising tune to show that the speaker has not completed their thought. In contrast, alternative questions use a rising tune for preliminary choices and conclude with a falling tune on the final alternative to signal completeness.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pitch contour rule for subordinate/introductory clauses in RP English.
Subordinate or introductory clauses before the main clause indicate that the sentence is incomplete and require a rising tune to signal non-finality.
Pitch rises at non-final grammatical boundaries to maintain listener expectation for the main clause.
2
Analyze the pitch contour rule for alternative questions in RP English.
Alternative questions rise on each non-final item listed ('tea', 'coffee') and fall on the final option ('juice').
The falling tune at the final option signals closure, indicating that all options have been presented.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours for Incomplete Clauses and Alternative Questions
Question 9Question →

Match each spoken English utterance type on the left with its standard Received Pronunciation (RP) intonation contour and primary function on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Wh-questions (e.g., 'Who broke the vase?')
Polar / Yes-No questions (e.g., 'Did you call him?')
Imperative commands (e.g., 'Stop talking immediately.')
Non-final items in a series (e.g., 'one, two, three...')

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Wh-questions match with falling tune for specific information inquiry; Polar questions match with rising tune for affirmative/negative confirmation; Imperative commands match with falling tune for finality/compliance; Non-final series items match with rising tune for non-completeness/continuation.
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), intonation contours follow established grammatical and pragmatic rules: Wh-questions conclude with a falling pitch because they request specific information; polar (Yes/No) questions end with a rising pitch to request confirmation; imperative commands use a falling pitch to assert authority and completeness; and non-final items in a list rise in pitch to signal that speech will continue.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the communicative function of each utterance type according to standard RP intonation rules.
Wh-questions and direct commands require falling pitch movement, whereas polar questions and non-final list items require rising pitch movement.
Intonation contour choice depends on whether an utterance conveys finality/information-seeking or continuation/polar-confirmation.
2
Pair each utterance category on the left with its corresponding intonation contour and function on the right.
Wh-questions pair with specific info falling tune; Polar questions pair with confirmation rising tune; Commands pair with authority falling tune; Non-final items pair with continuation rising tune.
This correctly maps grammatical utterance types to their standard pitch direction rules in English phonology.

Key Concept

Standard Functions of Falling and Rising Intonation Tunes in RP English
Question 10Question →

Consider the following complex sentence spoken in standard Received Pronunciation (RP): 'As soon as the guest speaker arrives, the ceremony will commence.' Which pattern of pitch inflection correctly describes the intonation contour across the non-final subordinate clause and the final main clause?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: A rising pitch contour on the non-final clause ('arrives'), followed by a falling pitch contour on the main clause ('commence').

Answer

The utterance requires a rising pitch contour on the non-final subordinate clause ('arrives') and a falling pitch contour on the final main clause ('commence').
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), utterances containing a subordinate clause before a main clause follow a continuation-then-finality intonation pattern. The non-final clause ('As soon as the guest speaker arrives') ends with a rising pitch to show that the thought is incomplete, while the final main clause ('the ceremony will commence') ends with a falling pitch to mark completeness.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the utterance.
The sentence consists of an introductory adverbial subordinate clause ('As soon as the guest speaker arrives') followed by a main declarative clause ('the ceremony will commence').
Intonation contour rules in Received Pronunciation depend on clause function and utterance completeness.
2
Determine the intonation rule for non-final subordinate clauses.
Non-final subordinate clauses express non-finality and continuation, requiring a rising intonation tune at the clause boundary.
A rising pitch indicates to the listener that the speaker's thought is not yet complete.
3
Determine the intonation rule for final main declarative clauses.
The main declarative clause completes the statement and takes a falling intonation tune on the last stressed syllable.
A falling pitch signals finality and completeness of the statement.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours in Complex Sentences
Question 11Question →

Match each spoken English utterance on the left with its standard Received Pronunciation (RP) intonation contour and primary communicative function on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

"When will the panel publish the official examination results?"
"Have you already submitted your registration form to the officer?"
"You completed the assignment on time, didn't you?" (spoken with full certainty, expecting confirmation)
"Would you prefer to travel by road, rail, or air?"

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), intonation contours are systematically mapped to clause types and pragmatic functions: Wh-questions employ a Falling Tune; Polar (Yes/No) questions employ a Rising Tune; Tag questions expressing certainty/seeking agreement employ a Falling Tune; and Alternative questions listing options employ a Rising-Falling Tune.
Each utterance strictly follows standard Received Pronunciation intonation principles: Wh-questions terminate with a falling pitch contour; polar questions terminate with a rising pitch contour; confident tag questions expecting agreement take a falling contour on the tag; and alternative options use a rising contour across initial elements followed by a falling contour on the final choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze utterance syntax and pragmatic intent
Identify 'When will...' as an information-seeking Wh-question, 'Have you...' as a Yes/No polar question, '...didn't you?' as a tag question expecting confirmation, and '...road, rail, or air?' as an alternative question.
Intonation tunes in English are primarily governed by sentence type and speaker attitude.
2
Apply phonological rules for main sentence types
Wh-questions take a falling tune, whereas polar Yes/No questions take a rising tune.
Under Received Pronunciation (RP) standards, non-polar interrogatives fall, while polar interrogatives rise.
3
Evaluate complex pragmatics for tags and lists
Tag questions expecting agreement take a falling tone. Lists and alternative options rise on non-final items and fall on the closing item.
Pitch indicates finality on the last item of a closed set and agreement on confident statements.

Key Concept

Received Pronunciation (RP) Intonation Rules and Pragmatic Functions
Question 12Question →

Identify the primary pitch movement required on the final nucleus syllable when delivering the question: 'Who left the classroom door unlocked?'

Show answer & explanation

Answer: A falling intonation tune

Answer

A falling intonation tune
In standard English speech, wh-questions ending on the nuclear syllable carry a falling pitch contour to signal definitive completion of an inquiry.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the sentence.
The utterance begins with 'Who', establishing it as an information-seeking wh-question.
Different sentence types in standard English speech correspond to distinct nuclear tone patterns.
2
Apply Received Pronunciation intonation rules for wh-questions.
The pitch drops on the last stressed syllable ('unlocked').
While polar (yes/no) questions finish with a rising tone, direct wh-questions conventionally end with a falling tone.

Key Concept

Intonation contours for Wh-questions versus Yes/No questions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 13Question →

Complete the phonological description of intonation in alternative questions by filling in the blanks.

Fill in the blanks below

In standard English intonation, an alternative question presenting two options (for example, 'Shall we take a taxi or walk?') typically features a tune on the first option and a tune on the final option.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank requires 'rising' (or 'rise') and the second blank requires 'falling' (or 'fall').
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), alternative questions presenting distinct choices connected by 'or' use a rising pitch tune on the initial non-final options to show incomplete thought/continuation, followed by a falling pitch tune on the final option to mark completion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structural type of utterance
The utterance 'Shall we take a taxi or walk?' is an alternative question offering a choice between choices.
Intonation patterns in Received Pronunciation depend on whether an utterance presents open choices, polar choices, or lists.
2
Determine pitch contour rules for alternative questions
The pitch rises on the first alternative and falls on the final alternative.
A rising tune indicates that the offer of choices is incomplete, whereas a falling tune signals finality at the completion of the query.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours for Alternative Questions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 14Question →

In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), a speaker says: 'Would you like tea or coffee?' with a rising tone on the word 'tea' and a falling tone on the word 'coffee'. Which of the following best describes this intonation pattern and its communicative function?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: It is an alternative question intonation contour, indicating that the listener must choose strictly between the options presented.

Answer

The utterance uses an alternative question intonation contour (rising tone on the first option, falling tone on the final option), indicating that the choice is limited to the items named.
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), alternative questions feature a rise-fall intonation pattern—rising on the initial choice(s) and falling on the final choice. This rise-fall contour signals to the listener that the options provided are exhaustive and closed, requiring a choice between the stated items.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the utterance type and pitch changes
The utterance presents two choices ('tea' and 'coffee') with a rising tone on 'tea' and a falling tone on 'coffee'.
Identifying the specific pitch movement across components of an utterance is necessary to classify its intonation pattern.
2
Apply standard RP phonological rules for alternative questions
In Received Pronunciation (RP), alternative questions pitch upwards on non-final choices and fall on the final choice.
The final falling pitch signals completion and indicates that the options presented form a closed set.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours in Alternative Questions
Question 15Question →

In standard Received Pronunciation (RP) Oral English, pitch movement communicates whether a speaker has finished speaking or has more items to mention. Complete the statement below describing intonation during enumeration. Which tones correctly complete the statement?

Fill in the blanks below

When listing a series of items, each non-final item is uttered with a tone to indicate continuity, while the final item receives a tone to signal finality.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Non-final items in an enumeration take a rising tone, whereas the final item takes a falling tone.
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), listing items sequentially relies on pitch contour to indicate structure. Non-final items carry a rising tune to indicate incomplete thought and maintain listener attention, while the final item takes a falling tune to indicate completion and finality.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the discourse context described in the prompt.
The context is enumeration (listing a series of words or items in speech).
Intonation rules differ based on communicative functions such as listing, asking questions, or making statements.
2
Determine the pitch movement required for incomplete non-final items in a list.
Non-final items require a rising tune (rise).
A rising intonation signals to the listener that the utterance is non-final and that more information is to follow.
3
Determine the pitch movement required for the concluding item of the list.
The final item requires a falling tune (fall).
A falling intonation signals completeness, finality, and the end of the spoken series.

Key Concept

Intonation Patterns in Enumeration
Question 16Question →

Match each spoken English utterance on the left with its standard Received Pronunciation (RP) intonation contour pattern on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

"What time does the morning train depart?"
"Is the headmaster in his office right now?"
"She passed the examination, although she didn't study hard."
"What a splendid performance that was!"

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Wh-questions match with the falling tune; polar (yes/no) questions match with the rising tune; sentences expressing reservation or contrast match with the fall-rise tune; exclamations expressing strong emotion match with the rise-fall tune.
Each utterance corresponds to its canonical RP pitch movement: Wh-questions end with a falling pitch; polar questions end with a rising pitch; contrastive statements take a fall-rise tune; and exclamations take a rise-fall tune.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the utterance type for "What time does the morning train depart?"
It is an information question beginning with the question word 'What' (Wh-question).
Wh-questions routinely take a falling tune in standard RP.
2
Analyze the utterance type for "Is the headmaster in his office right now?"
It is a polar (Yes/No) question expecting confirmation or denial.
Polar questions take a rising intonation contour.
3
Analyze the utterance type for "She passed the examination, although she didn't study hard."
It expresses a concession or contrastive reservation.
Utterances expressing implication, hesitation, or reservation carry a fall-rise tone.
4
Analyze the utterance type for "What a splendid performance that was!"
It is an exclamatory sentence expressing strong delight and appreciation.
Exclamations and expressions of intense emotion take a rise-fall tune.

Key Concept

Standard RP Intonation Patterns and Tone Functions
Question 17Question →

In standard English speech, if a speaker utters the sentence, 'You didn't see the teacher, did you?' using a falling tone on the tag question, which of the following best describes the communicative function of this intonation pattern?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: The speaker is confident about the statement and expects agreement.

Answer

The speaker is confident about the statement and expects agreement.
A falling intonation pattern on a tag question indicates that the speaker feels confident about the main statement and expects the listener to confirm or agree with it.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the utterance structure.
The sentence consists of a main declarative statement ('You didn't see the teacher') followed by a tag question ('did you?').
Identifying the grammatical construction helps determine standard Received Pronunciation intonation rules.
2
Determine the communicative function of a falling tone on a tag question.
In Received Pronunciation (RP), a falling pitch contour on a tag question signals that the speaker expects the listener to agree with the statement.
When the speaker is certain of the facts, the tag does not function as a genuine question but as a confirmation seeker.

Key Concept

Intonation Patterns in Tag Questions
Question 18Question →

Match each of the following spoken English utterances to its correct pitch contour pattern based on standard Received Pronunciation (RP) intonation rules.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

"Why did the board cancel the annual conference?"
"Have you verified the financial figures for this quarter?"
"We need to buy paper, pens, folders, and paperclips."
"The principal has already signed the document, hasn't he?" (expressing certainty and seeking confirmation)

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

1. "Why did the board cancel the annual conference?" matches with Falling intonation contour on the nuclear syllable.
2. "Have you verified the financial figures for this quarter?" matches with Rising intonation contour on the nuclear syllable.
3. "We need to buy paper, pens, folders, and paperclips." matches with Rising pitch on non-final listed items, terminating with a falling tone on the final item.
4. "The principal has already signed the document, hasn't he?" matches with Falling intonation contour specifically on the auxiliary tag segment.
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), intonation patterns follow defined grammatical rules: Wh-questions conclude with a falling tone, polar Yes/No questions end with a rising tone, listed items maintain rising pitch until the final falling item, and tag questions expressing confidence/certainty end with a falling tone on the tag.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural type of each utterance.
Identify utterance 1 as a Wh-question, utterance 2 as a polar (Yes/No) question, utterance 3 as a series/enumeration list, and utterance 4 as a confirmation-seeking question tag.
Intonation contours in Received Pronunciation are directly governed by clause type and pragmatic intent.
2
Apply RP intonation rules to each identified structural category.
Wh-questions require a falling pitch; Yes/No questions require a rising pitch; lists require rising tones on incomplete elements followed by a final fall; tags expecting agreement take a falling tone.
Standard phonology establishes precise default contours for grammatical patterns in speech.
3
Pair each utterance with its corresponding pitch description.
Construct the exact correct matches between left and right elements.
Ensures complete alignment between utterance category and intonational rule.

Key Concept

Basic Intonation Rules in Received Pronunciation (RP)
Question 19Question →

In standard Received Pronunciation, how does the pitch contour change across the alternatives when a speaker asks: 'Would you prefer tea, coffee, or cocoa?'

Show answer & explanation

Answer: A rising tone on 'tea' and 'coffee', ending with a falling tone on 'cocoa'

Answer

The correct option is the one specifying a rising tone on 'tea' and 'coffee', ending with a falling tone on 'cocoa'.
In standard English intonation, alternative questions with a closed set of choices use a rising pitch tune on each non-final choice to indicate continuation, followed by a falling pitch tune on the final item to signal finality and prompt a decision.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the utterance type
The utterance 'Would you prefer tea, coffee, or cocoa?' is a closed alternative question offering a specific list of options.
Intonation rules in English depend on sentence structure and communicative intent.
2
Apply RP intonation rules for alternative questions
Pitch rises on each listed non-final option ('tea', 'coffee') to indicate that the list continues, and falls on the final option ('cocoa') to indicate completion of the choices.
The rise-fall contour signals to the listener that they must choose among the options presented.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours in Alternative Questions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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