Because Singaporeans don’t use them at all.
But it is frequently tested in our Primary School Leaving Examination. So many permutations until I can write a full article on it.
I’m wondering whether I’m teaching to the test or preparing my kiddos for real-life interactions.
CONTRACTIONS TESTED IN TAG QUESTIONS
We all know that tag questions involve matching a positive statement with its negative tag (+ -) and matching a negative statement with its positive tag (- +).
The Good Old Days
But gone are the days when you will see the auxiliary verb clearly indicated in the question. Take a look at this:
“The tennis players have been informed about the match, __________ they?” asked the coach. (2012/Q9)
Because the children easily see have in the question, they know that they need to choose its negative equivalent -- haven't.
Testing Trends Evolved
Contractions were used in the question, so candidates first had to unpack what the full form of a contraction was. Here's another question:
"She’s set a good example for the team members over the years, __________ she?” said the coach. (2021/Q2)
She's can either mean She is or She has, but when we examine the contextual clues, we arrive at She has as the answer. She is set sounds weird.
Other times, candidates had to identify the auxiliary verb themselves. Here's my third question:
“Tom gave up looking just as I said he would, __________ he?” Geetha asked. (2019/Q1)
Children must understand that gave up is another way of saying did give up. After they figure out that gave up = positive statement can they derive the negative tag, didn't.
1 Don't get me started on last year's question:
“I am such a hardworking student, __________ I?” my brother boasted. (2025/Q1)
Children must know this obscure piece of information: aren't is the question tag for am.
And look at this:- She ought to clear up the mess before leaving the classroom for her recess, ______ she?
Children need to know that if they cannot find oughtn't as an answer, shouldn't is the next best answer because ought to and should almost mean the same thing.Other uncommon ones:
Ali was barely 17 when he won his first golf tournament, wasn't he? (Ali was just only 17, so this is a positive statement.)
He remotely resembles his father, doesn't he? (remotely sounds negative, but it is not a negative word in this context.)
Let's organise a class party after our graduation, shall we?
Janet has a pet dog, doesn't she? (has is used as the main verb, so it means does have.)- Don't Forget Negative Statements As Well
The auxiliary verb in the question must be derived similarly.
“She never ever visits the museum, __________ she?” asked Mrs Lee. (2024/Q8) / Sally hardly takes part in school events, __________ she? / She seldom revises her work, __________ she?
Students must understand that never/hardly/seldom denotes a negative sentence. They must change the wording to the following in their minds:
She never ever = She does not ever
She hardly takes part = She almost never takes part = does not
She seldom revises = She does not often revise
Only then can students derive the positive tag -- does she
Other adverbs of this nature include scarcely and barely. Other sentences:
There is barely any sugar left in the jar, is there?
It is not remotely true, is it?