IndianTechnoEra: Answering Simple Questions

Answering Simple Questions

We ask questions to get information, and we answer questions to give information. A good answer should match what the question asks.

In this lesson, you will practise answering simple questions using who, what, where, when and why.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what different questions ask for.
• Match questions with suitable answers.
• Answer who, what, where, when and why questions.
• Give clear and simple answers.

Matching the Question Word

First, look at the question word. It tells you what kind of information you need to give.

Who → Person
What → Thing or information
Where → Place
When → Time
Why → Reason

Understanding the question word helps you choose the correct answer.

Answering Who Questions

Question: Who is your teacher?
Answer: My teacher is Mrs Sharma.

The answer gives the name of a person.

Answering What Questions

Question: What is this?
Answer: This is a book.

The answer identifies the thing.

Answering Where Questions

Question: Where is the ball?
Answer: The ball is under the table.

The answer tells us the location.

Answering When Questions

Question: When do you go to school?
Answer: I go to school in the morning.

The answer gives time information.

Answering Why Questions

Question: Why are you happy?
Answer: I am happy because I got a new toy.

The answer gives a reason.

Answer Clearly

A good answer should give the information asked for. It does not need to be very long. A short, clear answer is often enough.

Where is the cat?
→ Under the chair.

The answer is short but gives the required location.

Who is your friend?
→ Aman.

The answer gives the person being asked about.

Choosing the Right Answer

Look carefully at the question before answering. Ask yourself what information is needed.

• Who? → Think of a person.
• What? → Think of a thing or information.
• Where? → Think of a place.
• When? → Think of a time.
• Why? → Think of a reason.

Common Mistakes

• Do not give a place when the question asks who.
• Do not give a person when the question asks where.
• Do not give a time when the question asks why.
• Read the complete question before answering.
• Make sure your answer matches the question.

Practice

1. Who is your teacher?

2. What is your favourite toy?

3. Where do you live?

4. When do you eat breakfast?

5. Why do you go to school?

6. Which question word asks about a place?

7. Which question word asks about a reason?

Try It Yourself

Ask someone five questions: one using who, one using what, one using where, one using when and one using why. Listen to each answer carefully.

Quick Revision

• Questions ask for information.
• Who asks about people.
• What asks about things or information.
• Where asks about places.
• When asks about time.
• Why asks about reasons.
• Answers should match the question.

Next Step

You have now learned how to ask and answer simple questions using who, what, where, when and why. In the next chapter, you will learn how to read and understand short stories.