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A1 BeginnerA1-02Grammar

Yes / No Questions – Be Verbs

Is the air-conditioning on? Are you hot?

10 minutesListening · Grammar · Quiz · Puzzle

In this lesson

  • Form Yes / No questions by moving "be" before the subject.
  • Use Am I...?, Are you...?, Is he...?, Is she...?, Is it...?, Are we...?, Are they...?
  • Give short answers: Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
  • Avoid contractions in positive short answers.
  • Ask Yes / No questions about things with "Is the...?" and "Are the...?"
Listening script

Four everyday conversations

Read each conversation and notice how the speakers use Yes / No questions with the verb "be".

Listen to the full lesson

Audio voices are AI-generated.

Conversation 1

A Hot Afternoon

  1. Leo

    It is really hot in here.

  2. Maya

    I know. I can't study in this heat.

  3. Leo

    Is the air conditioner on?

  4. Maya

    No, it is off. The remote is next to you.

  5. Leo

    Oh, here it is. Can I turn it on?

  6. Maya

    Yes, please. Twenty-two degrees is perfect.

  7. Leo

    Done. Do you want some music while we wait?

  8. Maya

    Sure. Can you turn on the radio, too?

  9. Leo

    Of course. Is jazz alright?

  10. Maya

    Yes, I love jazz. This song is one of my favorites.

  11. Leo

    Is the room cooler now?

  12. Maya

    A little, but it needs another minute.

  13. Leo

    We can get some cold water while we wait.

  14. Maya

    Good idea. I'm thirsty, too.

  15. Leo

    Better now?

  16. Maya

    Much better. Now we can study.

Grammar focus

It is / It'sIs the air conditioner on?No, it is off.Can I turn it on?Is jazz alright?Is the room cooler now?Yes, please.
Speed
Conversation 2

A New Apartment

  1. Nina

    Wow, this is a nice place, Sam.

  2. Sam

    Thanks. I still have a lot of boxes to open, but I'm happy to be here.

  3. Nina

    Is this the living room?

  4. Sam

    Yes, it is. It's small, but the large windows make it feel bigger.

  5. Nina

    You're right. The room is very bright.

  6. Sam

    It gets a lot of sun in the morning. That's my favorite thing about it.

  7. Nina

    Is the kitchen through that door?

  8. Sam

    Yes, it is. The kitchen is a little old, but everything works well.

  9. Nina

    And now you're close to the school, right?

  10. Sam

    Yes, I am. It's only a five-minute walk from here.

  11. Nina

    That's much better than taking the bus every morning.

  12. Sam

    Definitely. I can sleep a little longer now.

  13. Nina

    Are your neighbors friendly?

  14. Sam

    Yes, they are. The woman next door brought me some cake yesterday.

  15. Nina

    That's a good start. You already sound happy here.

  16. Sam

    I am. It's still new, but it already feels like home.

Grammar focus

Is this the living room?Is the kitchen through that door?Are your neighbors friendly?Yes, it is.Yes, they are.Yes, I am.It's small.I'm happy to be here.
Speed
Conversation 3

The New English Teacher

  1. Omar

    How is your new English class?

  2. Lina

    It's really good. We had our first lesson with Ms. Reed today.

  3. Omar

    Is she your new English teacher?

  4. Lina

    Yes, she is. She's very friendly and patient.

  5. Omar

    What is her class like?

  6. Lina

    It's relaxed. We speak a lot, and she gives everyone time to answer.

  7. Omar

    Is she from Canada?

  8. Lina

    No, she isn't. She's from Australia.

  9. Omar

    Is her accent difficult to understand?

  10. Lina

    Not really. She speaks slowly and explains new words clearly.

  11. Omar

    That sounds helpful. Is the class mostly grammar?

  12. Lina

    No, it isn't. We also practice conversations in pairs.

  13. Omar

    Is Sara in your class too?

  14. Lina

    Yes, she is. We sit together near the front.

  15. Omar

    Are you excited about the next lesson?

  16. Lina

    Yes, I am. I think this class is going to be fun.

Grammar focus

How is your class?Is she your new teacher?What is her class like?Is she from Canada?Is her accent difficult?Is Sara in your class?Are you excited?Yes, she is.No, she isn't.Yes, I am.
Speed
Conversation 4

At a Café

  1. Tony

    This café smells amazing.

  2. Beth

    It does. I sometimes come here after work.

  3. Tony

    Is that table near the window free?

  4. Beth

    Yes, it is. Let's sit there before someone takes it.

  5. Tony

    Good idea. What do you usually order here?

  6. Beth

    I usually have the tomato soup and a cheese sandwich.

  7. Tony

    Is the soup good today?

  8. Beth

    Yes, it is. I saw someone order it, and it looks delicious.

  9. Tony

    I'm thinking about the chicken sandwich.

  10. Beth

    That's a good choice. The sandwiches are made fresh every morning.

  11. Tony

    Is the coffee very strong?

  12. Beth

    Yes, it is. Try the tea if you want something lighter.

  13. Tony

    I think I'll have the sandwich and some tea.

  14. Beth

    And I'll have the soup with a small coffee.

  15. Tony

    Are we ready to order?

  16. Beth

    Yes, we are. The waiter is coming now.