Asking and Answering Basic Questions
5.1 Introduction
Asking questions and answering them is the foundation of everyday conversations. This chapter explains common question forms, how to answer clearly and politely, and gives practice exercises to build confidence.
- Common question words and their uses.
- How to form yes/no and WH- questions.
- Polite ways to ask questions and give short and full answers.
5.2 Question Words (WH- Words)
WH- words request specific information. Learn their use and short examples below:
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Person | Who is your teacher? |
| What | Thing/Action | What do you want? |
| Where | Place | Where is the station? |
| When | Time | When is the meeting? |
| Why | Reason | Why are you late? |
| How | Manner / Method | How do you make tea? |
5.3 Yes / No Questions
Yes/no questions expect an affirmative or negative answer and often begin with an auxiliary verb.
| Question | Structure | Short Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Are you ready? | Auxiliary + subject + main verb | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. |
| Do you like coffee? | Do/Does + subject + base verb | Yes, I do. / No, I don't. |
| Did she arrive? | Did + subject + base verb (past) | Yes, she did. / No, she didn't. |
5.4 Short Answers and Full Answers
Short answers are brief (Yes/No + auxiliary). Full answers provide more information.
| Question | Short Answer | Full Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Have you eaten? | Yes, I have. | Yes, I ate lunch at 1 PM. |
| Can you help me? | No, I can't. | No, I can't right now. I'm busy. |
5.5 Question Tags
Question tags turn a statement into a short question. Use the auxiliary verb and the opposite polarity.
| Statement | Tag | Example |
|---|---|---|
| You are coming | aren't you? | You are coming, aren't you? |
| She doesn't like tea | does she? | She doesn't like tea, does she? |
| They will arrive | won't they? | They will arrive, won't they? |
5.6 Polite Questions
Politeness softens requests. Use modal verbs and polite phrases:
- Could you please open the window?
- Would you mind helping me with this?
- May I ask your name?
5.7 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not forget the auxiliary verb in yes/no questions: Do you like (not *You like?).
- Avoid using two auxiliaries: Did you go? (not *Did you went?).
- For WH- questions, order is WH + auxiliary + subject + verb for most tenses: What did you eat?
5.8 Practice Exercises
- you / like / pizza → __________________?
- she / arrive / at 6 → __________________?
- they / go / to school yesterday → __________________?
Write short answers (Yes/No + auxiliary):
- Do you have a pen?
- Has he finished?
- Will they come?
Practice with a partner: greet, ask 3 WH- questions, ask one polite request, and answer each question.
5.9 Quick Reference: Question Structures
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No | Auxiliary + subject + verb | Do you live here? |
| WH- | WH + auxiliary + subject + verb | Where did you go? |
| Tag | Statement + comma + auxiliary (opposite polarity) | She's late, isn't she? |
| Polite Request | Could/Would/May + subject + verb | Could you help me? |
5.10 Summary of Key Points
- WH- words ask for specific information (who, what, where, when, why, how).
- Yes/No questions use auxiliary verbs and expect short or full answers.
- Question tags confirm information and use opposite polarity.
- Politeness is achieved with modal verbs and words like please.
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