English Grammar

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Warm-Up Question:

Imagine that you are in a new class. What questions do you ask your classmates to get to know them better?

Grammar Focus

We use Wh- questions with the Be verb to ask for specific information about people, places, times, and more. These questions start with a question word like Who, What, Where, When, Why, or How, followed by a form of the verb Be (am, is, are), and then the subject.

• “Who is your teacher?” (asking about a person)
• “Where is the classroom?” (asking about a place)

Wh- questions help you learn more details about people and their lives.

🗣️Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking

Wh- questions with Be are essential for everyday conversations. They help you ask for help, get directions, learn about people, and more. You’ll hear and use these questions all the time in real life.

Here are some common situations:

• At school:
  
  • “Who is your English teacher?”
  • “Where is the homework?”
• In stores or public places:
  
  • “What is this?”
  • “Why is it closed?”
• Making friends:
  
  • “How are you?”
  • “When is your birthday?”

These questions help you ask classmates about their background, talk to teachers, understand announcements, and have clearer conversations when traveling, studying, or making friends, whether the person you’re speaking with is a native English speaker or another international student like you.

Now, let’s practice your grammar skills with a game.

Wh- questions with Be are essential for real conversations. They help you ask for details, not just yes/no answers. Practice asking and answering these questions to make your English sound more natural!

1. At School
   
   • What questions can you ask in class or about school life?
     ➤ For example: “Who is your English teacher?”
     ➤ For example: “Where is the next class?”
2. In Stores or Public Places
   
   • How can you ask questions when shopping or traveling?
     ➤ For example: “What is that?”
     ➤ For example: “Why is it closed?”
3. Making Friends or Small Talk
   
   • What questions can you ask to get to know someone?
     ➤ For example: “How are you?”
     ➤ For example: “When is your birthday?”

These Wh- questions help you talk to classmates, ask teachers for help, understand signs and announcements, and connect with new friends.

Beginning | Intermediate | Advanced