The Rise-Fall can be combined with any common head, but more often it is used without a preceding head – either at the beginning of an intonation group, or after the prehead.
The meaning of the contour:
In statements: shows strong emotional involvement – the attitude might be delighted, challenging, hostile, ironical, or complacent.
E.g.: A: You won’t tell them, will you? – B: I shall have to tell him.
A: She’s got four cats. – B: Four!
In questions: challenging, quizzical, mocking. E.g.: How on ‘earth should I know! A: She says she can speak English. – B: Can she though!
In exclamations: impressed, sometimes with a note of accusation, impatience, antagonism, or irony. E.g.: Never! Wonderful!