Asking What Questions
The word what is used to ask about a thing, action or information.
We use what when we want to know what something is, what someone has, or what is happening.
Learning Objectives
- Understand what what asks about.
- Recognise simple what questions.
- Ask simple questions using what.
- Give simple answers to what questions.
Understanding What
We use what when we want information about a thing, action or other information.
The question asks us to identify something.
The question asks for information about a name.
Simple What Questions
- What is this?
- What is that?
- What is your name?
- What do you have?
- What are you doing?
The answer depends on what information the question asks for.
Answering What Questions
Answer: This is a book.
The answer identifies the thing.
Answer: I have a pencil.
The answer tells us what the person has.
What About Actions
We can also use what to ask about an action.
A possible answer is: “I am reading.”
A possible answer is: “The dog is running.”
Who or What?
Use who when asking about a person. Use what when asking about a thing, action or information.
What → thing or information
Choosing the correct question word helps us ask clearly.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use what when asking who a person is.
- Read the question carefully before answering.
- Make sure your answer gives the information being asked for.
- Do not give a place when the question asks what something is.
Practice
1. What is your name?
2. What is this?
3. Complete: ___ are you doing?
4. Which question word asks about a thing or information?
Try It Yourself
Look at five objects around you. Ask yourself a simple what question about each object.
Quick Revision
- What asks about a thing, action or information.
- What can help us identify something.
- What can also be used to ask about an action.
Next Step
Now that you can ask what questions, the next lesson will teach you how to ask questions using where.