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English From Zero · Level Starter · Lesson 3

❓ Is He A Student? — Questions & Greetings

Today you will learn to ask Yes/No questions and questions with a question word using "be", the punctuation rules that make your writing clear, and how to greet people at any time of day!

🎬 Let's Imagine...

Nora Meets A New Classmate

Read the little scene below.

NoraI want to ask my new classmate if she's a student here, but I don't know how to make a question!
LeoDon't worry, Nora — English questions with "be" are easy once you know the trick!
🧑‍🏫 Teacher SamiExactly! Today we'll learn Yes/No questions, questions with a question word, and how to greet people all day long — morning to night!

🤔 Can you turn "She is a student." into a question? Let's find out together!

Nora looking a little worried near a desk, watching a classmate read a book, while Leo stands nearby smiling and gesturing encouragingly
Nora isn't sure how to ask her new classmate a question yet — Leo's here to help!
Step 1

❓ Yes/No Questions With "Be"

To make a Yes/No question with "be", move the verb to the front of the sentence, and remember to add a question mark!

🎮 Try It Yourself — Flip The Card!

Click the button to turn each statement into a question, and hear it out loud.

Step 2

💬 Short Answers

We usually answer a Yes/No question with a short answer, not just "yes" or "no" alone.

Is he a student?

"Yes, he is."

Is she new?

"No, she isn't."

Is it your number?

"No, it's not."

Are they busy?

"Yes, they are."

Are they OK?

"No, they aren't."

Step 3

🔤 Questions With A Question Word

Some questions begin with a question word, like what or how. Notice the question word comes first, then the verb "be".

🙋

What's your name?

Asks for a person's name.

😊

How are you?

Asks how someone feels today.

📱

What's your phone number?

Asks for someone's phone number.

🪪

What's your last name?

Asks for a person's family name.

A friendly school helper handing a name-tag to a smiling new student at a welcome desk decorated with balloons, in a school hallway
At the welcome desk: "What's your name?" — "It's Nora!"
Step 4

✏️ Punctuation & Capitalization

Small marks make a big difference! Here's what each one does.

🔠

Capital Letter

For a person's name and the start of a sentence: "My name is Nora."

⏹️

Period

At the end of a sentence: "They are students."

Question Mark

At the end of a question: "What's your name?"

✂️

Apostrophe

To make a contraction: "They aren't busy."

Step 5

🕐 Everyday Greetings

The greeting you use changes with the time of day! Click a time below to find out which one to use.

👉 Click a time of day above!

A Little Conversation

Asking & Answering

  • "How are you?" — "I'm fine, thanks. And you?"
  • "I'm good."

Saying Goodbye

  • "Have a nice day!" — "You too!"
  • "Good night!" (in the evening, before bed)
🎧 Sound Lab

Listen And Repeat!

Click 🔊 Listen to hear the phrase, 🐢 Slowly to hear it slower, then 🎙️ My turn and say it out loud into your microphone!

Step 6

✍️ Practice Time!

Exercise 1 — True Or False?

Exercise 2 — Complete The Dialogue

Fill in the missing word in each line of the conversation at the school welcome desk.

Step 7 · Extraordinary!

🎭 Create & Record Your Own Dialogue

Imagine you're at a school welcome desk. Write a short dialogue: ask Yes/No questions, questions with a question word, and greet each other properly!

Are you a new student?Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. What's your name?How are you? Have a nice day!Good night!

🎙️ Now, Record It!

Act out your dialogue out loud (alone with both voices, or with a friend) and record yourselves. Then listen back!

✨ Available now

🎯 Final Quiz — Is He A Student? — Questions & Greetings

Answer 7 questions to test everything you learned in this lesson!