Learn Russian: Это хлеб?

In Russian, you don't need to change the word order or add helper words like "is" to ask a simple yes/no question. You just change your voice! When speaking, your voice should rise sharply on the word you are asking about—in this case, хлеб (bread)—and then drop back down.

Where is the Russian word for "is" in this sentence?

Russian completely leaves out the verb "to be" (am, is, are) in the present tense. So instead of saying "Is this bread?", you literally just say "This bread?".

When I listen to this, the letter б at the end of хлеб sounds like a "p". Is that right?

Yes! In Russian, consonants made using your vocal cords, like б, become "unvoiced" (whispered) when they are at the very end of a word. So, the б (b sound) at the end of хлеб is pronounced like a п (p sound).

How would I answer "Yes, this is bread" or "No, this is not bread"?

To say yes, just add Да (Yes) at the beginning: Да, это хлеб. To say no, use Нет (No) and put the negative word не (not) right before the word it negates: Нет, это не хлеб.