The second - instance questions comprise echoing questions and insistent questions
1
.
First - Instance General Questions Basic general questions are asked when the speaker doesn’t know whether he will
receive an affirmative or negative answer. They usually take the Descending Stepping
Scale + Low Rise.
'Do you 'often 'go to the
ˏ
theatre?
'Yes, I
` do.
Confirmatory general questions are those which are asked when the speaker
expects a confirmation of the supposition expressed in the question. Structually, they are
declarative sentences. They often begin with the words
so, this, etc. They take the
Descending Stepping Scale + the High Fall.
Good
` morning,
ˏ
Jim. So you are 'back at
` work?
General questions put forward as a subject for discussion or as a suggestion take either
the Low or the High Wide Fall preceded by the Descending Stepping Scale.
This 'knife is too
` blunt.
Is 'this one any
ˎ
better? (subject for discussion)
I’ve got
` so many things to
ˏ
do.
Can
ˎ
I help at
all? (suggestion)
General questions consisting of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun and
used as comments upon statements made by another speaker are widely used in conversation.
Pronounced with different tones, they show a variety of attitudes. Therefore their
appropriate use is of great importance. They take:
(1)
The High Narrow Rise to keep the conversation going, e.g.
I’ve 'just 'seen
` John.
