Q&A - P1 English

[buds]

Jeda.. scared what? :lol:


Cheemology arh?

[jedamum]

Snow is black, isn’t it?

No, it isn’t.

Snow isn’t black, is it?
No, it isn’t.

Or

Yes, it isn’t? (ksi, you mention this is wrong usage, but how to explain to a P2?)

[jedamum]

ksi:

Here are some more examples, with correct answers:

•The moon goes round the earth, doesn't it? Yes, it does.
•The earth is bigger than the moon, isn't it? Yes.
•The earth is bigger than the sun, isn't it? No, it isn't!
•Asian people don't like rice, do they? Yes, they do!
•Elephants live in Europe, don't they? No, they don't!
•Men don't have babies, do they? No.
•The English alphabet doesn't have 40 letters, does it? No, it doesn't.

ksi,
in explaining to my boy, am i correct to point out to him that the answer is always 'a -ve together with a -ve' ie always, \"No, it doesn't\" and never \"No, it does.\"? similarly, always \"Yes, it is\" and never \"Yes, it isn't.\"?\"

[corneyAmber]

jedamum, when you explain to your boy...


If the statement is factually known, then he answers to the FACTS and not the question structure, like the snow. So \"Yes, positive\" and \"No, negative\" will always be used in accordance to the facts per the examples given earlier.

The complication or variation comes only when something is not factual like what TAS has shared as an example.

[corneyAmber]

jedamum:

Snow is black, isn't it?

No, it isn't.

Snow isn't black, is it?
No, it isn't.

Or

Yes, it isn't? (ksi, you mention this is wrong usage, but how to explain to a P2?)

The fact is snow is not black.
So if it is factually not black, it will be \"No, it isn't\" regardless of how the tag question is phrased.

[The Alternative Story]

ksi:

I know you are going to allude to that as I can see the pattern in the examples too and these examples are given so people understand what are facts, not just scientific facts.


So the fact remains that if it is a known fact, i.e. information is furnished. I am not here to say that you are wrong, just to add that there are some fine prints to take note.

It is more important to understand which are the situations one can differ and which cannot. In an exam if the facts are furnished and ignored, the kids may lose marks. In fact this SA1 my child had, there were 2 questions the teachers even needed to debate upon the answers because many children chose a different answer from model key. In the end, the teachers concluded that they had furnished some facts in the passage, so they would not accept the other answer, even though technically the children were not wrong to choose the other answer. Just my 2 cents worth.

Hi ksi,

Thanks for your contribution to some of the finer points of this
grammar structure (question tags). It is true that for every rule,
there are a few exceptions.

That is why, there are cases where the teachers need to debate
over the answers as English is not as 'cut and dried' as some of
the more scientific subjects.

So, what we can do as educators and parents is to give the broad rule
with the exceptions as much as possible

TAS

[buds]

ksi:

The fact is snow is not black.

So if it is factually not black, it will be \"No, it isn't\" regardless of how the tag question is phrased.

Spot on, ksi! :celebrate:

[corneyAmber]

The Alternative Story:

Hi ksi,


Thanks for your contribution to some of the finer points of this
grammar structure (question tags). It is true that for every rule,
there are a few exceptions.

That is why, there are cases where the teachers need to debate
over the answers as English is not as 'cut and dried' as some of
the more scientific subjects.

So, what we can do as educators and parents is to give the broad rule
with the exceptions as much as possible

TAS

Hi TAS,
I agree that a healthy exchange like this benefits everyone. At the end of the day, the world is more of grey shades than black and white and some fair amount of debate would be required to bring it to the shade of black or white as a convention to follow. Thanks for your contribution as well. :celebrate:

[corneyAmber]

buds:

ksi:

The fact is snow is not black.

So if it is factually not black, it will be \"No, it isn't\" regardless of how the tag question is phrased.

Spot on, ksi! :celebrate:

:celebrate: buds!

[mwchua]

hi all,


Just a quick question - for P1 composition, are the kids supposed to write in Past or Present tense?

Usually i would think for story it will be past tense, for more factual stuff it will be in present tense...

Or should I ask the school teacher on the expectation?

Thanks

Rgds,
Ming