Can You Ace WH-Questions? Take the Quiz!
Think you can master questions who what when where why? Dive in now!
This WH-Questions quiz helps you practice what, where, when, who, why, and how so you can form clear questions in English. Play quick items with instant feedback and spot gaps before a class or exam. For extra drills, try our simple present quiz.
Study Outcomes
- Master WH-Question Words -
Understand the roles of what, where, when, who, why, and how to form precise WH-questions.
- Formulate Accurate WH-Questions -
Apply each WH-word - who, what, when, where, why - to craft accurate questions for gathering specific details.
- Identify Common WH-Question Errors -
Analyze sample questions to spot and correct typical mistakes in word order, choice of WH-words, and question structure.
- Apply WH-Questions in Context -
Practice using WH-questions across various scenarios like conversations, email inquiries, and information gathering.
- Match Questions and Answers -
Evaluate and pair WH-questions with appropriate answers to reinforce comprehension and accuracy.
- Boost Confidence in WH-Question Use -
Enhance your speaking skills by confidently asking and responding to what, where, when, who, and why questions in real-life situations.
Cheat Sheet
- Master the Standard WH-Question Formula -
According to Purdue OWL, most WH-questions follow the inversion pattern: WH-word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb. This inversion pattern is the backbone of what where when who why questions, e.g., "When did she arrive?" Practicing this structure helps students form clear, grammatically correct inquiries.
- Use "What" for Definitions and Objects -
The British Council advises using "what" to ask about objects, actions, or explanations, such as "What ingredients are in this recipe?" This word anchors countless questions who what when where why and clarifies exactly what information you need. A helpful trick is to link "what" with "describe" in your mind - what = describe the thing.
- Leverage "Where" for Locations -
Cambridge Dictionary notes that "where" queries always target place or position, for instance, "Where did you leave your keys?" By pairing "where" with prepositions like "in" or "at," you sharpen your locational queries. A handy mnemonic is "Where? There!" to recall place-focused questions.
- Time Your "When" Questions Precisely -
BBC Learning English explains that "when" questions ask about time, using simple tenses like "When does the film start?" or "When did they arrive?" Remember to match your auxiliary (do/does/did/will) to the tense for clarity. Practice with a timeline diagram to visualize and reinforce the correct time frames.
- Ask "Who" for People and "Why" for Reasons -
University of Michigan's grammar guide highlights that "who" seeks people ("Who called last night?") while "why" uncovers reasons ("Why did you choose this topic?"). These two can be combined for depth, e.g., "Who and why…?" in investigative contexts, inspired by the 5 W's mnemonic from Poynter's News University. Remember: people = who; purpose = why.