Line英会話クラス

Lesson Plan March 20, 2026

Topic: Questions

In this lesson we will learning how to ask questions in the present and the past. You learn about indirect questions and more about question words.

Section A: Direct Questions

Read the quiz and look at the answers. Decide which is the best answer for each question.

Quiz: How well do you know your best friend?

1. How long have you known them? (We can use “them” instead of him/her, especially when the speaker does not know the gender)

2. How often do you text them?

3. When did they last come to your house? (We can use “they” instead of he/she, especially when the speaker does not know the gender)

4. Which do they like better, coffee or tea?

5. What were they doing yesterday evening?

6. How tall are they?

7. Why do you like them?

Answers:

A. About three times a day.
B. 1.6 metres
C. Working in a restaurant.
D. Because he’s very funny.
E. Since we started school together.
F. On Saturday morning.
G. Coffee

Section B: Indirect Questions

You can also ask indirect questions. These can sound more polite.

• Do you know where the post office is? (= Where is the post office?)

• Did you understand what he was saying? (= What was he saying?)

• Can you tell me when the bank opens? (= When does the bank open?)

Section C: How, Which, Whose

You use how to ask for instructions to do something

• How do you turn the computer on?

• Can you tell me how to get a passport?

You use which when you are asking about a small number of things.

• Which dress do you think looks better on me?

• Which TV show do you want to watch on Netflix tonight?

To find out who something belongs to, you use whose.

• A: Whose care is that parked outside?
  B: It’s mine. I just bought it!

• Do you know whose gloves are?

To find out what someone things about a person or thing you can use what … like

• A: What’s their new music like?
  B: It’s a little slow, but great.

• A: What’s your new teacher like?
  B: She’s really nice, but a bit strict.

Section D: Remember!

Looking carefully at the different verb forms in direct and indirect questions

• When does the supermarket open?

• Do you know when the supermarket opens?

Questions

Direct Questions

• Question word + Verb + Subject (Why is the door locked?)

Indirect Question

• Phrase + Question word + Subject + Verb (Do you know why the door is locked?)

• Common phrases

  • Can you tell me …

  • I wonder …

  • I have no idea …

  • Do you remember …

• Examples

  • Indirect: “Could you tell me where the station is?”

  • Direct: “Where is the station?” (NOT Could you tell me where is the station?)

  • Indirect: “Do you happen to know what time it is?”

  • Direct: “What time is it?” (NOT do you happen to know what time is it?)

  • Indirect: “I have no idea who that man is.”

  • Direct: “Who is that man?” (NOT I have no idea who is that man?)

How vs What … like

• Think of "How" as asking for a rating or condition, and "What... like" as asking for a description.

• The weather; the meaning is identical

  • How is the weather? —> It’s sunny.

  • What is the weather like? —> It’s sunny

• People (condition vs character)

  • How is your mother? (Focus is on health or mood)

    • “She is doing well, thank you”

  • What is your mother like? (Focus is on personality and character)

    • She is strict but also kind.

• Food and experiences

  • How was the movie? (Thinking about rating)

    • “It was great!”

  • What was the movie like? (Think about description)

    • “It was a very long action movie with lots of car chases.”

  • How is the pizza?  (Thinking about raising)

    • “It’s so delicious.”

  • What is the pizza like? (Thinking about description)

    • “ It has a very thin crust and lots of spicy salami.”