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Getting Smarter through Language

Questions Using Question Words | Asking and Answering Questions in English

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This level:

 basic

This is part of the Asking and Answering Questions lesson.

Question Words

Open-ended questions are also called wh-questions because they use question words such as who, what, when, where, why, etc.

When you ask open-ended question, you ask for specific information. For example, in this sentence,

John goes to the supermarket at 6 o’clock every Monday.

you can ask about John (who), the supermarket (where), the time (what time), and the frequency (how often).

Questions with question words | Examples with “be”

My English classes are 2 hours long.

What is 2 hours long?
My English classes.

How long are your English classes?
Two hours long.

Whose Enlgish classes are 2 hours long?
My English classes are.

It is very hot in Dallas in August.

How hot is it in Dallas in August?
It’s very hot.

Where is it very hot in August?
In Dallas.

When is it very hot in Dallas?
In August.

My father is in San Francisco this week.

Who is in San Francisco this week?
My father is.

Where is your father this week?
He’s in San Francisco.

When is your father in San Francisco?
This week.

Questions with question words | Examples with other verbs

Marisa speaks English perfectly.

Who speaks English perfectly?
Marisa does.

What language does Marisa speak perfectly?
English.

How well does Marisa speak English?
She speaks it perfectly.

I keep the strawberries in the refrigerator.

What do you keep in the refrigerator?
The strawberries.

Where do you keep the strawberries?
In the refrigerator.

I can run a mile in 7 minutes.

Who can run a mile in 7 minutes?
I can.

How far can you run in 7 minutes?
A mile.

How fast can you run a mile?
In 7 minutes.

Related Practice

Practice 1. Asking yes-no questions with “be.”

Practice 2. Asking and answering wh-questions using “be.”

Practice 3. Asking and answering questions using all verbs.

Video Practice: Practice using embedded questions

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