Are you bad at pronunciation? 🗣💬 (中国学生）- for Chinese students learning English

English doesn’t use tones the same way as Chinese, but intonation helps express emotions, questions, and emphasis. When asking a yes/no question in English, how should your voice change on the last word?

a) Stay flat and level (like the first tone in Chinese)

b) Rise slightly (similar to the second tone in Chinese)

c) Fall sharply, then rise again (similar to the third tone in Chinese)

d) Drop lower and sound firm (like the fourth tone in Chinese)

You’re talking about your dream vacation and say, "I really want to visit Paris one day." But your friend looks confused. What’s the issue?

A) You said "Pah-ree," but in English, it’s pronounced "Pair-iss."

B) You said "visit" too fast, making it unclear.

C) You used the wrong intonation, making it sound like a statement instead of excitement.

D) You replaced the "r" in "Paris" with a rolling "r."

Which intonation pattern is often used in English to show hesitation, uncertainty, or when you’re not finished speaking?

a) Flat tone (like the first tone in Chinese)

b) Rising tone (like the second tone in Chinese)

c) Falling-rising tone (like the third tone in Chinese)

d) Strong falling tone (like the fourth tone in Chinese)

In English, how do we use intonation to express strong certainty or a command?

a) Use a flat, level tone (like the first tone in Chinese).

b) Use a rising tone (similar to the second tone in Chinese).

c) Start low, then rise and fall slightly (similar to the third tone in Chinese).

d) Use a strong falling tone (similar to the fourth tone in Chinese).