Question Words
What, where, who, when, why, how — ask anything in English.
Six question words. Ask about people, places, things, time, reasons.
Look & say · Step 1
5 minGet ready
What question do you ask people first when you meet them?
Think of 3 questions you ask every day.
Which question is hardest: What? Where? Why?
Words to learn · Step 2
8 minNew words today
what
Ask about a thing
"What is this?"
where
Ask about a place
"Where is the bank?"
who
Ask about a person
"Who is she?"
when
Ask about a time
"When is the party?"
why
Ask about a reason
"Why are you here?"
how
Ask about a way / manner
"How do you spell it?"
how many
Ask about quantity (countable)
"How many books?"
how much
Ask about price / quantity (uncountable)
"How much is it?"
which
Ask about a choice
"Which one do you want?"
what time
Ask about clock time
"What time is it?"
Activate · Personalise · Recycle
Use these words now
Make each sentence true for you. Say it aloud to a partner.
why
"For me, why is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
how much
"For me, how much is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
how many
"For me, how many is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
You'll meet these words again in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Homework.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Sounds & saying · Step 3
5 minFalling intonation on Wh- questions ↘
Wh- questions: voice goes DOWN at the end (not up like yes/no questions).
- • What is your name? ↘
- • Where do you live? ↘
- • Who is that? ↘
- • When does it start? ↘
- • Why are you late? ↘
- • How are you? ↘
Language focus · Step 4
10 minWh- questions: What / Where / Who / When / Why / How
Quick rule
Wh- questions: What / Where / Who / When / Why / How
Wh- + is/are/do/does + subject + verb.
- 'Where do you live?' 'What is your name?' 'Who is she?'
Pattern
What is your name?
Where do you live?
Who is your best friend?
When does the class start?
Why are you late?
How are you today?
Question 1.___ is your name? — Anna.
Question 2.___ do you live? — In Paris.
Question 3.___ is that man? — My teacher.
Question 4.___ does the film start? — At 8 p.m.
Question 5.___ are you sad? — Because I'm tired.
Question 6.___ old are you?
Rebuild each line, spot the natural chunks, then practise responding aloud.
Quick check 1.Asking about a person: ___?
Quick check 2.Asking about a place: ___?
Quick check 3.Asking about a reason: ___?
Reading · Step 5
7 minMeeting a new student
It is Monday morning. 🌅 There is a new student in class. The teacher says: 'Hello! What is your name?' The boy answers: 'My name is Luca.' 'Where are you from, Luca?' 'I'm from Italy. 🇮🇹' 'How old are you?' 'I'm 12.' 'Who is your best friend here?' 'Marco — he sits next to me.' 'Why do you study English?' 'Because I want to travel. ✈️' The teacher smiles. 'Welcome to our class!'
Question 1.What is the new student's name?
Question 2.Where is he from?
Question 3.How old is he?
Question 4.Why does he study English?
Q1.Luca is from France.
Q2.Marco is Luca's best friend.
Listening · Step 6
10 minGetting to know you
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Emma
Hi! What's your name?
Tom
I'm Tom. Nice to meet you.
Emma
Where do you live, Tom?
Tom
I live in Manchester.
Emma
How old are you?
Tom
I'm 25.
Emma
When is your birthday?
Tom
In June.
Emma
Why are you in London today?
Tom
Because I have a job interview!
Question 1.Where does Tom live?
Question 2.How old is he?
Question 3.When is his birthday?
Question 4.Why is he in London?
Practice · Step 7
8 minChoose the word
Question 1.___ is your teacher? — Mr Brown.
Question 2.___ do you go to school? — By bus.
Question 3.___ is the meeting? — At 3 p.m.
Question 4.___ are you happy? — Because it's Friday!
Question 5.___ many brothers do you have?
Question 6.___ colour is your car? — Red.
Q1.Ask about a person: ___ is she?
Q2.Ask about a place: ___ do you live?
Q3.Ask about a reason: ___ are you tired?
Q4.Ask about time: ___ does it start?
Survival English · Step 8
4 minSpeaking — ask 5 questions
Task
Ask a partner 5 different Wh- questions to learn about them.
Strategy
Use a different question word for each: What…? Where…? Who…? When…? Why…? Listen to the answer before you ask the next one.
Example
What's your name? Where are you from? How old are you? When is your birthday? Why do you study English?
Writing · Step 9
5 minWrite a little
Your task
Write 6 questions you would ask a new classmate. Use a different question word for each.
Show model answer
1. What is your name? 2. Where are you from? 3. How old are you? 4. When is your birthday? 5. Who is your favourite singer? 6. Why do you study English?
Speaking · Step 10
12 minTalk together
Pairs: interview your partner. Ask 6 Wh- questions and write down the answers.
Useful phrases
- • What is your name?
- • Where are you from?
- • Who is your best friend?
- • When is your birthday?
- • Why do you study English?
- • How do you come to class?
- AHi! ___ is your name?
- Choose_______________
- BI'm Sara.
- ANice to meet you. ___ are you from?
- Choose_______________
- BI'm from Spain.
- ACool! ___ do you study English?
- Choose_______________
- BBecause I want to work abroad.
Homework · Step 11
Take-homePractice at home
Write 10 questions to ask a new friend using all 6 Wh- words.
Record yourself asking 5 Wh- questions with falling intonation.
Learn the 6 question words by heart: What / Where / Who / When / Why / How.
Recap · Step 12
3 minWhat you learned
- ❓ You know the 6 main question words: What, Where, Who, When, Why, How.
- 🗣️ You can ask simple questions about people, places, things, time, and reasons.
- 🎶 You use falling intonation on Wh- questions.
- 🤝 You can interview a new person in English.