The tall man over there is our new English teacher, is he?

[sitifan]

The tall man over there is our new English teacher, ________?
(A) is he (B) is there (C) isn't he (D) isn't there
(The Basic Competence Test for Junior High School Students, 2nd exam, 2009)
The answer to the above question is option C.
Is option A also acceptable to native speakers?

 

[emsr2d2]

Both A and C are possible in the right context.

 

[Skrej]

I suspect the test is focusing on the fact that tag questions normally have a tag that's opposite the main statement, but there are cases where we use same-way tags.

Unlike 'regular' tag questions, same-way tags aren't asking actual questions, but are used for things like expressing interest or emotions.

So, as ems mentioned, both are possible with the right context.

If you're asking a genuine question for confirmation, only C works.
If you're just sort of idly commenting about the tall man being your new teacher (or maybe you're surprised that the new teacher is so tall), then A is possible.

 

[tedmc]

Though A is possible in certain context, I would choose C as the best and more likely accepted answer, considering it is a test question for non-native speakers which comes under the topic of question tags.

 

[Tdol]

You could use A to express disbelief or surprise, but there's no context to indicate this. C works better.

 

[Tarheel]

If I was going to use "is he" I would be more straightforward about it. Perhaps:

Do you see that tall man over there? Is he our new English teacher?