We use the verb “to be” to say who we are, where we are from, our age, our job and our feelings. In the present it has three forms: “am” with I, “is” with he, she and it, and “are” with you, we and they.

In speaking we usually use short forms: I’m, you’re, he’s, she’s, it’s, we’re, they’re. For negatives, add “not” after the verb: I am not, he is not (he isn’t), they are not (they aren’t).

For questions, move the verb to the front: “Are you a teacher?” “Is she from Poland?” “Am I late?” Short answers repeat the verb: “Yes, I am.” “No, he isn’t.”

We use “have” with I, you, we and they, and “has” with he, she and it. We use it to talk about family, pets, things we own and some illnesses.

Negative: I don’t have a car. She doesn’t have any brothers. Question: Do you have a pet? Does he have a sister? In British English you may also hear “have got”: I’ve got two brothers. She’s got a dog. Both are correct.

Use question words to ask for information: What (thing), Who (person), Where (place), When (time), Why (reason), How (way, age, feeling), How old, How many, Which.

Pattern: question word + am/is/are + subject, or question word + do/does + subject + base verb. “Where are you from?” “What do you do?” “How many brothers do you have?”

• What is your full name, and can you spell it aloud?
• How old are you?
• Where are you from?
• Where do you live now?
• Are you a morning person or a night person?
• What is your favourite colour, and what does it make you think of?
• How many people are in your family?
• Do you have any brothers or sisters?
• What is your phone ringtone?
• What is your favourite food?
• What languages do you speak?
• What is your favourite month of the year, and why?

• Who is the person you talk to most every day? What are they like?
• Describe your best friend’s voice and personality.
• What is the best thing about your family?
• Do you get on well with your neighbours? Tell me about one of them.
• Who is the funniest person you know? Why are they funny?
• What are three things people say about you?
• Which is more important for you: family or friends? Why?
• What do you like doing with your family at the weekend?
• Who in your family is most like you? In what way?
• Is it easy for you to meet new people? Why or why not?
• How do you usually introduce yourself in a new group?
• What is your favourite family tradition?

• How has your personality changed in the last five years?
• What makes a person a good friend?
• Do you think big families are happier than small families? Why?
• How do first impressions work when we meet someone by voice only?
• What would you like people to remember about you after a first meeting?
• Which question do you like to be asked when you meet someone new?
• What is the most interesting thing about your family history?
• What is something about you that surprises people?

• Where are you from, and what is your hometown like?
• Who is in your family? Tell me about them.
• Have you got any brothers or sisters?
• What is your job or what do you study?
• What languages do you speak?
• Have you got a pet? If not, would you like one?
• What is your phone number or email? Can you say it slowly?
• How do you feel today, and why?
• Who is your best friend? What is he or she like?
• What are you good at?
• Are you a morning person or a night person?
• What is your favourite colour, and why do you like it?

• What three words describe you best?
• Who is the most interesting person you know?
• Is it better to have a big family or a small family?
• Which is more important: a good job or a happy family?
• What do people often ask you when they meet you for the first time?
• If you could introduce yourself to a famous person, what would you say?
• What is something that most people don’t know about you?
• What is the best thing about your name?

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