Yes / No Questions – Be Verbs
Is the air-conditioning on? Are you hot?
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...?"
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.
A Hot Afternoon
- Leo
It is really hot in here.
- Maya
I know. I can't study in this heat.
- Leo
Is the air conditioner on?
- Maya
No, it is off. The remote is next to you.
- Leo
Oh, here it is. Can I turn it on?
- Maya
Yes, please. Twenty-two degrees is perfect.
- Leo
Done. Do you want some music while we wait?
- Maya
Sure. Can you turn on the radio, too?
- Leo
Of course. Is jazz alright?
- Maya
Yes, I love jazz. This song is one of my favorites.
- Leo
Is the room cooler now?
- Maya
A little, but it needs another minute.
- Leo
We can get some cold water while we wait.
- Maya
Good idea. I'm thirsty, too.
- Leo
Better now?
- Maya
Much better. Now we can study.
A New Apartment
- Nina
Wow, this is a nice place, Sam.
- Sam
Thanks. I still have a lot of boxes to open, but I'm happy to be here.
- Nina
Is this the living room?
- Sam
Yes, it is. It's small, but the large windows make it feel bigger.
- Nina
You're right. The room is very bright.
- Sam
It gets a lot of sun in the morning. That's my favorite thing about it.
- Nina
Is the kitchen through that door?
- Sam
Yes, it is. The kitchen is a little old, but everything works well.
- Nina
And now you're close to the school, right?
- Sam
Yes, I am. It's only a five-minute walk from here.
- Nina
That's much better than taking the bus every morning.
- Sam
Definitely. I can sleep a little longer now.
- Nina
Are your neighbors friendly?
- Sam
Yes, they are. The woman next door brought me some cake yesterday.
- Nina
That's a good start. You already sound happy here.
- Sam
I am. It's still new, but it already feels like home.
The New English Teacher
- Omar
How is your new English class?
- Lina
It's really good. We had our first lesson with Ms. Reed today.
- Omar
Is she your new English teacher?
- Lina
Yes, she is. She's very friendly and patient.
- Omar
What is her class like?
- Lina
It's relaxed. We speak a lot, and she gives everyone time to answer.
- Omar
Is she from Canada?
- Lina
No, she isn't. She's from Australia.
- Omar
Is her accent difficult to understand?
- Lina
Not really. She speaks slowly and explains new words clearly.
- Omar
That sounds helpful. Is the class mostly grammar?
- Lina
No, it isn't. We also practice conversations in pairs.
- Omar
Is Sara in your class too?
- Lina
Yes, she is. We sit together near the front.
- Omar
Are you excited about the next lesson?
- Lina
Yes, I am. I think this class is going to be fun.
At a Café
- Tony
This café smells amazing.
- Beth
It does. I sometimes come here after work.
- Tony
Is that table near the window free?
- Beth
Yes, it is. Let's sit there before someone takes it.
- Tony
Good idea. What do you usually order here?
- Beth
I usually have the tomato soup and a cheese sandwich.
- Tony
Is the soup good today?
- Beth
Yes, it is. I saw someone order it, and it looks delicious.
- Tony
I'm thinking about the chicken sandwich.
- Beth
That's a good choice. The sandwiches are made fresh every morning.
- Tony
Is the coffee very strong?
- Beth
Yes, it is. Try the tea if you want something lighter.
- Tony
I think I'll have the sandwich and some tea.
- Beth
And I'll have the soup with a small coffee.
- Tony
Are we ready to order?
- Beth
Yes, we are. The waiter is coming now.