↗ Rising — Question
"Is it time to go?"
Pitch rises at the end — used for yes/no questions
↗ Rising — Surprise
"You finished already?"
Rising pitch shows surprise or disbelief
↗ Rising — Listing
"I need apples, oranges, and bread."
Pitch rises on each item in a list except the last
↘ Falling — Statement
"No, it is not."
Pitch falls — used for statements and commands
↘ Falling — Certainty
"I am absolutely sure."
A falling tone signals confidence and finality
↘ Falling — Wh-Question
"Where did you go?"
Wh-questions (what, where, when, why) use falling pitch
↗↘ Rise-Fall — Sarcasm
"Oh, that was really helpful."
Rising then falling — implies the opposite of the words
↗↘ Rise-Fall — Impression
"That was absolutely brilliant!"
Shows strong emotional emphasis or genuine praise