English Questions
Many time conversations start and are continued with questions. Asking questions is a natural way to get information from people and are used all the time. Think about it- people don’t usually just start rattling off, talking about something, unless someone else asks them something.
Questions usually begin with certain words, so right from the beginning a listener knows a question is being asked. The most common questions words are:
The Wh question words: who, what, where, when, why, how
The Yes/No question words: is, are, can, do, does, will, would.
Only a single word (Yes or No) is required to answer a Yes/No question,
although a complete thought can be used as well.
Look at these questions.
Who is the star of the movie?
What is the name of the theater?
When does the movie start?
Where is the theater located?
Why do you want to see such a bad movie?
How will we get there?
Is it a comedy?
Are there many people in the ticket line?
Am I late?
Do you like comedies?
Does your brother have to go with us?
Will you buy me a ticket?
Would you like some pop corn?
Can your father play the clarinet?
Can questions can either be about ability or permission.
Can you ice skate? No, I can’t.
Can I have an apple? Yes you can.
Sometimes we may be surprised by someones ability or something that is said that may be a little unbelievable. There are expressions that we can use in these situations. Look at the examples.
I can hold my breath under water for 5 minutes.
I don’t believe it.
I can speak 12 languages
Are you kidding me?
My uncle is able to swim with his hands tied behind his back.
Are you pulling my leg?
My sister can throw a football 85 yards in the air.
You must be joking.
The sun rose in the west this morning.
Get serious.
The president has been assassinated.
Oh my God!
I just won a ten million dollar lottery.
That’s unbelievable.
Two people got married last night on TV.
That’s outrageous.
My father won the Nobel price in chemistry last year.
Really, that’s incredible.
We all know that at times we get questions that we don’t know the answer to or can not remember the answer to. There are several expressions that can be used in these situation. look at these examples.
Do you remember ( … what date we were married)?
Oh no, I forgot.
Do you happen to know ( … who won the last World Series)?
Wait…it’s on the tip of my tongue.
As I recall, ( … I asked you to buy some bread at the bakery)?
Oops, sorry. It skipped my mind.
What’s the ( … capital of Minnesota)?
Sorry, I don’t recall (remember). It has escaped me for the moment.
Are there (… any apples in the refrigerator)?
Beats me.
If you can master the questions, you will be well on your way to effective communication.
Grammar note
Remember the usage of the to be verbs (is am, and are) and do/does differs, depending on the subject of the sentence.
Always use am with I
Am I a man or a mouse?
Always use is with singular subjects and the pronouns he, she it.
Is your job interesting?
Is he a professor?
Always use are with plural subjects and the pronouns you, we, they.
Are there many questions on the test?
Are you going to study?
Always use do with plural subjects.
Do dogs always bury bones?
Always use does with singular subjects.
Does that dog bite?
Also remember about the subject-agreement rule in both questions and answers when using the simple present tense. Verbs may require an -s at the end, depending on the subject of the sentence.
Use an –s ending with verbs that have he, she, it, or singular nouns as
subjects of the sentence.
Mary takes a walk after class every day.
Use no -s ending on verbs that have I, we, they, you, or plural nouns as subjects.
I always take a walk after class.
Dialogue 1
Students should work together in pairs and read the following dialogue, one student reading one part, the other student reading the other. Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have in similar conversations.
Teacher: What is a gnu?
Student: It’s an antelope like animal in Africa.
Teacher: Where are the Hawaiian Islands?
Student: They are in the Pacific Ocean.
Teacher: When is Christmas?
Student: Christmas is on December 25th.
Teacher: Who is Leonardo DeCaprio?
Student: He is a famous actor.
Teacher: Why is he famous?
Student: He is famous because he has made many movies and he is an
American heart throb.
Teacher: How do you spell veterinarian?
Student: V-E-T-E-R-I-N-A-R-I-A-N
Teacher: Is it cold in Australia in December?
Student: No, it isn’t.
Teacher: Are there many alligators in a desert?
Student: No, there aren’t.
Teacher: Am I a good teacher?
Students: No comment.
Teacher: Can cows swim?
Student: Yes.
Teacher: Do whale lay eggs?
Student: No.
Teacher: Does a vampire really exist?
Student: No, but in the movies they do.
Teacher: Will it snow tomorrow.
Student: Maybe.
Teacher: Would you like to have a test tomorrow?
Student: No, never!
Dialogue 2
Interviewer: May I ask you a few questions. I’m conducting a survey of student
skills.
Subject: Sure, ask away.
Interviewer: Great. First, can you drive a car?
Subject: Yes, I can, I’ve had my license for about three years.
Interviewer: Can you use a computer?
Subject: Of course, can’t everybody?
Interviewer: Can you pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time?
Subject: I don’t know; I’ve never tried it.
Interviewer: Can you bake cookies from scratch?
Subject: No I can’t. I’m a terrible cook.
Interviewer: One final question, can you lend me $5.00? I need money for
a taxi.
Subject: Sorry, I can’t. I’m broke
1. Pair work- discussion
Work with a partner and ask each other the WH questions below. For
additional practice change the words in parenthesis to make a new
sentence. When answering the question be sure to use complete
sentences, not just one word answers. This will give you added
practice is using the language.
1. What kind of (books) do you (read)?
2. When do you usually (go to bed)?
3. When do you like to (eat ice cream)?
4. What do you usually (eat for breakfast)?
5. How often do you (go to the movies)?
6. Who do you (dislike)?
7. What do you do usually (do at night)?
8. What is your favorite (meal)?
9. How long have you been (studying English)?
10. What classes (do you take in school)?
11. What color (shirt/blouse) are you wearing?
12. Who is your (best friend)?
More WH questions
Ask your partner more WH questions using these words or think of your own.
When: study, get up, sleep, watch TV, go to movies, work
What: father’s/mother’s job, major, hobby, capital of your country
Where: from, live, library, place to fish, place to meet people,
home town
How often: swim, drink milk, go to concerts, travel abroad
Why: exercise, study hard, watch TV news, take vacation
Who: favorite actor, president of your country, famous sports figure,
inventor of airplane
2. Pair work- discussion
Think of ‘can’ or ‘do’ questions about the activities below and ask your
partner, about them or their family and friends.
Play the guitar Cook pizza Swim
Dunk a basketball Read music Play chess
Snorkel Shoot a rifle Bungee jump
Read palms Change a flat tire Sew your own clothes
Whistle with crackers in your mouth
Balance a pencil on your nose
Understand Einstein’s theory of relativity
Repel down a mountain
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