HS6151 – Technical English I Unit – 2 Topic – ‘Wh’ Questions
Read the following Conversation between a teacher and a student:
Student : Good morning, sir.
Teacher : Good morning. How are you?
Student : I am fine, sir. I need some suggestion to improve my English. I want to improve
my English, but I am unable to do it.
Teacher : What is the problem?
Students : I hesitate while speaking. Sentences do not come in my mind and I just fall flat.
Teacher : Do you practice grammar?
Student : I practice now and then.
Teacher : You need to practice it daily as it will help you in speaking.
Student : How will it help me?
Teacher : Sentences will automatically come in your mind if you know grammar as
grammar will help your mind construct sentences as a result you will be able to
speak without hesitation.
Student : My friend practices grammar daily still he is unable to speak fluently. What is
the reason?
Teacher : Only having the knowledge of grammar is not enough. We need to practice
speaking daily to master the language. How many hours does he speak?
Student : He does not speak much.
Teacher : How can you expect him to be a fluent speaker? I advise both of you to speak
English very often. Be sure soon you will be fluent in English speaking. English
is very easy language and can be learnt. You just need to put your sincere
efforts.
Student : Thank you for your valuable suggestions. I will act upon your advice.
The questions highlighted in the above conversation are ‘wh’ question.
We use question words to ask certain type of questions. These are referred to as ‘wh’
words because they include letter ‘W & H’. E.g., What, Why, When, How, Which,
Where, etc.
Dept. of English Anna University Chennai
HS6151 – Technical English I Unit – 2 Topic – ‘Wh’ Questions
The following table presents the commonly used ‘wh’ words with their functions:
‘Wh’ Words Functions Example Sentences
asking for information about something What are the causes for sudden
what hike in the petrol price?
what for asking for a reason, asking why What did you do that for?
when asking about time When will the train arrive in the
platform?
where asking in or at what place or position Where are you exactly meeting
him?
which asking about choice Which colour do you prefer?
who asking what or which person or people Who is responsible for the
(subject) happening?
whom asking what or which person or people Whom did you ask her to meet?
(object)
whose asking about ownership Whose are these books?
why asking for reason, asking what...for Why are you making them wait
for so long?
how asking about manner How does this machine work?
Activity 1
Complete the following conversation between a customer and a salesman.
Salesman : Good morning sir!
Customer : Good morning!
Salesman : How ______________?
Customer : I want to purchase a gift for my sister to give it on her birthday.
Salesman : How ______________?
Dept. of English Anna University Chennai
HS6151 – Technical English I Unit – 2 Topic – ‘Wh’ Questions
Customer : She is only eight years old. It should be something beautiful and unique.
Salesman : You can buy this imported doll. It speaks English and sings wonderful songs.
Customer : Oh, it is really a beautiful doll. Can you tell me how to operate it?
Salesman : Yes, push this red button and it will start speaking English, and when you push
this blue button it starts singing.
Customer : What ______________?
Salesman : Only Rs.1350/-
Customer : It’s a costly item. Anyway, pack it. I don’t like bargaining. I hope you will
charge reasonably. Also show me some picture books which can increase the
general knowledge of my sister.
Salesman : We have a lot of such books. Here are some excellent books. They are not only
interesting but also good for gaining general knowledge. See the beautiful
pictures and high quality paper.
Customer : How much __________________?
Salesman : Rs.350/- only.
Customer : Here are Rs.2000/-. Please give me cash receipt and balance amount.
Salesman : Sir, here is the cash-receipt and the balance. Thanks for your nice visit.
Activity 2
Frame questions for the below sentences using the given ‘wh’ words:
1. They live in New Delhi.
Where ___________________________________ ?
2. The class begins at 8 o´clock.
What time ________________________________ ?
3. They get home at 9 o´clock every night.
What time ________________________________ ?
4. Ramesh speaks Hindi very well.
What ____________________________________ ?
Dept. of English Anna University Chennai
HS6151 – Technical English I Unit – 2 Topic – ‘Wh’ Questions
5. Those books cost Rs. 500/-.
How much ________________________________ ?
6. Vasanth, with his family, traveled by car.
How _____________________________________ ?
7. Geetha wants to learn English because she wants a better job.
Why _____________________________________ ?
8. Mary and Joe meet on the corner every morning.
Where ____________________________________ ?
9. Mr. John teaches us communication skills.
What______________________________________ ?
10. Balu gets up at five every morning.
When______________________________________ ?
11. Those boys sell mobile phone covers there.
What______________________________________ ?
Activity 3
Choose the best WH word to complete the questions parallel the answers in the brackets:
1. ______ do you want to eat? (Pasta and cheese.)
2. ______ do they smoke? (Cigarette.)
3. ______ does John drive? (Car.)
4. ______ do we get up? (Early in the morning.)
5. ______ does that girl go swimming? (At the club)
6. ______ is very costly today? (Onion)
7. ______ solve this problem? (By applying xxx theorem)
8. ______ brought the pig home? (Balu)
9. ______ is the nearest police station? (B2 station near the bus stand)
10. ______ is he brining the machine home? (in a lorry)
Dept. of English Anna University Chennai
