IndianTechnoEra: What Is a Question?

What Is a Question?

A question is a sentence that asks for information. We ask questions when we want to know something.

We ask questions every day. We may ask about people, things, places, times or reasons.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what a question is.
• Recognise simple questions.
• Understand that questions ask for information.
• Recognise common question words.

Understanding Questions

When we want to know something, we can ask a question.

What is your name?

This is a question because it asks for information about a name.

Where do you live?

This question asks for information about a place.

Questions and Answers

A question usually needs an answer. The answer should give the information asked for in the question.

Question: What is your name?
Answer: My name is Riya.

The answer gives the person's name.

Question: Where is the book?
Answer: The book is on the table.

The answer gives the location of the book.

Common Question Words

Some question words help us ask about different kinds of information.

• Who — asks about a person.
• What — asks about a thing or information.
• Where — asks about a place.
• When — asks about a time.
• Why — asks about a reason.

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

Each question word helps us ask for a different kind of information.

Recognising a Question

A question often begins with a question word or another question form. When we write a direct question, we usually use a question mark ? at the end.

Where is my bag?

The question mark shows that the sentence is asking something.

Common Mistakes

• Do not confuse a question with a statement.
• Remember that a question asks for information.
• Use a question mark at the end of a direct question.
• Listen carefully to understand what the question asks.

Practice

1. What is a question?

2. What does a question ask for?

3. Which mark is used at the end of a direct question?

4. Is “What is your name?” a question?

Try It Yourself

Think of three things you would like to know. Ask three simple questions about them.

Quick Revision

• A question asks for information.
• A question usually needs an answer.
• Who, what, where, when and why are common question words.
• A direct question ends with a question mark.

Next Step

Now that you understand what a question is, the next lesson will teach you how to ask questions using who.