[z3phyr]

We usually say "three fours are twelve"

Instead of "three times four is twelve"

[quadrifoliate]

Yep, that's true — but I think an oral question would be phrased as "What is three times four?", correct?

[z3phyr]

Yes, it could be phrased like the above, but from what I have experienced in day to day school life, people usually ask "What's three into four?" or even more likely an incomplete fill in the blank question "Three fours are?"