WH Questions Notes, Quizzes & Revision

Specific learning outcomes

• Identify common WH question words and explain their functions.
• Form WH questions correctly in simple tenses and respond with appropriate short and full answers.
• Use WH questions to obtain information in everyday Kenyan contexts (school, market, travel).
• Demonstrate polite question formation and intonation in spoken interaction.

What are WH questions?

WH questions are information questions that begin with a question word (who, what, where, when, why, which, whose, how). They ask for specific information, not just yes/no answers. Note: "how" does not start with WH but is included in this group.

Common WH words (with Kenyan examples)

• Who – asks about people. Example: "Who is the headteacher?" 🧑‍🏫
• What – asks about things or actions. Example: "What is that vehicle called?" (matatu) 🚐
• Where – asks about place. Example: "Where is the market in Kisumu?" 📍
• When – asks about time. Example: "When does morning assembly start?" ⏰
• Why – asks for reason. Example: "Why do we wash hands before eating?" 🧼
• Which – asks to choose from options. Example: "Which story do you prefer: the one about Nairobi or the one about Mombasa?" 📚
• Whose – asks about possession. Example: "Whose bag is on the bench?" 🎒
• How – asks about manner, amount or condition. Example: "How do you get to school?" (by matatu / on foot / by boda-boda) 🛵

Basic question formation (simple rules)

1. WH + auxiliary + subject + main verb (present/past simple)
   Examples:

   • "What do you eat at school?"
   • "Where did you go last weekend?"
2. WH + to be + subject (with 'be' verbs)
   Examples:

   • "Who is the new teacher?"
   • "Where are the exercise books?"
3. WH + modal + subject + main verb
   Example: "How can I buy a ticket to Mombasa?"
4. Use the WH word at the start — WH words lead the question, then the rest follows in normal question order.

Short answers and conversation tips

• Short answers: respond briefly when appropriate — e.g., "When does class start?" — "At 8 o'clock."
• Politeness: begin with "Excuse me" or "Please" for strangers. E.g., "Excuse me, where is the bus stage?"
• Follow-up: after an answer, ask a follow-up WH question to get more detail: "Who?" → "What did they say?"
• Intonation: WH questions usually fall in tone (unlike yes/no questions which often rise).

Practice exercises (use Kenyan context)

1. Match the WH word to the question purpose:
   A. Time   B. Reason   C. Person   D. Place

   • 1. Who – __
   • 2. Why – __
   • 3. When – __
   • 4. Where – __
2. Form WH questions from the answers:
   • a) Answer: "By matatu." → Question: "________ do you go to town?"
   • b) Answer: "At 7:30." → Question: "________ does assembly start?"
   • c) Answer: "Mrs. Achieng." → Question: "________ is your class teacher?"
3. Complete the question word:
   • 1. _______ are you doing that?
   • 2. _______ book is this?
   • 3. _______ did you travel to Kisumu?
4. Short role-play (pair work): Student A asks WH questions to find out Student B's family routine in Kisumu / Nairobi. (2–3 questions each)

Answers

• Matching: 1→C, 2→B, 3→A, 4→D.
• Form questions:
  • a) "How do you go to town?"
  • b) "When does assembly start?"
  • c) "Who is your class teacher?"
• Complete the word:
  • 1. Why are you doing that?
  • 2. Whose book is this?
  • 3. When did you travel to Kisumu?

Assessment ideas (quick checks)

• Oral: Ask each learner two WH questions about their day; mark correct question formation and relevance of the answer.
• Written: Give short sentences (answers) and ask learners to write the matching WH questions.
• Peer check: Pairs interview each other and swap questions for correction.