It's like Laurel and Hardy

Helping Ethan with his reading homework tonight:

Ethan: See the fan.
Me: No, it's a question. "See the fan?"
E: Yes.
M: You say, "See the fan?"
E: I see it.
M: No, I'm not asking if you see it. You're supposed to say it.
E: I did.
M: Say it like a question. "See the fan?"
E: Yes.
M: I know you see it, but there's a question mark, so you need to say it like this: "See the fan?"
E: I see the fan!
M: Turn the page.