LESSON - Question Tags

If we want to ask for information we usually use the standard question form.
However, sometimes we just want to keep a conversation going, or confirm
information. In this case, question tags are often used to solicit input or confirmation
to what we are saying. Using question tags well also promotes a keen understanding
of the use of various auxiliary verbs.
Aim: Developing active and passive knowledge of the use of question tags
Activity: Gap-fill followed by sentence matching and, finally, an oral practice
exercise to promote active usage of question tags
Level: Pre-intermediate to intermediate
Outline:

Activate target area by asking students simple yes/no questions insisting on

the correct use of the auxiliary verbs. For example: Do you play tennis? - Yes,
I do. Have you been to England - No, I haven't.
Introduce the idea of question tags by asking students questions using
information that you already know about them. For example: You are
studying English, aren't you? - He didn't go to New York last year, did he?
Explain the usage of question tags to students and when they are more
preferable than direct questions.
Divide students into groups of 3 - 4 and have them complete the gap-fill
exercise.
Give each group the sentence halves (which you have cut into strips prior to
the lesson) and ask them to match them.
Correct the sentence matching as a class.
Ask each student to write his/her name on a piece of paper followed by five
simple statements about him/herself. For example: I have been married for
four years. I live in San Francisco. etc.
Collect the statements and re-distribute the sheets to different students.
Make sure that the students keep the sheets upside down until they are called
on.
Each student then uses the statements to form question tag questions asking
the student who has written the statements. For example: You have been
married for four years, haven't you? You live in San Francisco, don't you?

Question Tags
Put the following question tags in to the correct gaps. Each question tag is
used only once.
isn't it?, has he?, were you?, aren't you?, doesn't he?, do you?, is she?, didn't you?,
did she?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

She didn't watch the film last night, ________

It's great to see each other again, __________
He comes every Friday, _________
You're married, __________
You went to Tom's last weekend, _________
You don't like tripe, ___________
She isn't much of a cook, ________
He hasn't lived here long, ________
You weren't invited to the party, __________

Match The Sentence Halves

They enjoy playing football,...

...don't they?

She isn't thinking of moving,...

...is she?

He'll go to university,....

...won't he?

She hasn't studied for very long,...

...has she?

Jack bought a new car last week,...

...didn't he?

They aren't serious,...

...are they?

You live in an apartment,...

...don't you?

She doesn't speak Russian,...

...does she?

They won't shut up,...

...will they?

He isn't concentrating,...

...is he?

They hadn't visited you before,...

...had they?

This music is fantastic,...

...isn't it?