A1 · Beginner · Lesson 7

The Verb "To Be": Yes/No Questions

Am I...? Is he...? Are they...? and short answers

Language Focus

To make a Yes/No question with "be", we put am, is, or are before the subject, instead of after it.

SubjectQuestion formExample
IAm I...?Am I late?
he / she / itIs he/she/it...?Is she a teacher? Is it raining?
you / we / theyAre you/we/they...?Are you ready? Are they at home?

Short answers: we usually answer with Yes/No + subject + am/is/are (or isn't/aren't for No). For example: "Is she a teacher?" → "Yes, she is." / "No, she isn't." Notice that "Am I...?" is answered with "you are" or "you aren't", not "I am".

Listening: At the Interview

Context: a job interview conversation
Interviewer: Are you ready for your interview, Maya?
Maya: Yes, I am.
Interviewer: Is this your first interview?
Maya: No, it isn't. I had one last year.
Interviewer: Are you nervous?
Maya: Yes, I am, a little.
Interviewer: Is your phone off?
Maya: Yes, it is.

Now go to Exercise 1 and answer True or False.

1. True or False

Context: At the Interview (from the listening)

Listen again if you need to, then choose True or False.

2. Multiple Choice

Context: planning a party

Choose the correct question word.

3. Matching

Context: question to short answer

Match each question to the correct short answer.

4. Gap Fill

Context: a phone call

Complete the questions with Am, Is, or Are.

5. Question Word Sort

Click each subject, then click the correct question word below to sort it.

Am (I)

Is (he / she / it / singular)

Are (you / we / they / plural)

6. Word Order

Context: travel questions

Click the words in the correct order to build each question.

7. Right or Wrong?

Context: airport security

Is the question form right or wrong? Click your answer.

Your Scores

0 / 42

Total points across all exercises

ExerciseScore
1. True or False0 / 5
2. Multiple Choice0 / 6
3. Matching0 / 5
4. Gap Fill0 / 5
5. Question Word Sort0 / 11
6. Word Order0 / 5
7. Right or Wrong0 / 5