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What is What (Question Word)?
Grade Level:
Pre-School – Class 2
All domains without exception
Definition
What is it?
A 'What' question word is used to ask for information about things, objects, or ideas. It helps us find out details, descriptions, or the identity of something. We use 'What' when we don't know the specific answer and want to learn more.
Simple Example
Quick Example
Imagine your friend just got a new cricket bat. You want to know more about it. You would ask, 'What is your new bat made of?' or 'What did your new bat cost?' Here, 'What' helps you get specific details about the bat.
Worked Example
Step-by-Step
Let's say you see a new dish at a restaurant and want to know what it is.
1. Identify the unknown: You see a dish but don't know its name or ingredients.
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2. Formulate the question: To get information about the dish, you need to use 'What'.
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3. Construct the sentence: Combine 'What' with a verb and the subject.
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4. Ask the question: 'What is this dish?' or 'What are the ingredients in this dish?'
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5. Receive the answer: The waiter might say, 'It's a paneer tikka masala' or 'It has paneer, tomatoes, and spices.'
Answer: 'What' helps you get details about the unknown dish.
Why It Matters
Understanding 'What' questions is fundamental for clear communication and learning in all subjects. From asking 'What is the capital of India?' in Social Studies to 'What is the formula for area?' in Maths, it's everywhere. This skill is crucial for journalists, scientists, and even for customer service roles where understanding user queries is key.
Common Mistakes
MISTAKE: Using 'What' when asking about a person (e.g., 'What is that boy?') | CORRECTION: Use 'Who' for people (e.g., 'Who is that boy?'). 'What' is for things, objects, or ideas.
MISTAKE: Using 'What' to ask for a reason (e.g., 'What are you late?') | CORRECTION: Use 'Why' to ask for reasons (e.g., 'Why are you late?'). 'What' asks for information, not a cause.
MISTAKE: Confusing 'What' with 'Which' when there are limited options (e.g., 'What is your favourite colour from red, blue, or green?') | CORRECTION: Use 'Which' when choosing from a specific, limited set of options (e.g., 'Which is your favourite colour: red, blue, or green?'). 'What' is more general.
Practice Questions
Try It Yourself
QUESTION: Complete the sentence: ______ is your favourite sport? | ANSWER: What
QUESTION: Form a 'What' question to ask about the price of a new mobile phone. | ANSWER: What is the price of this new mobile phone?
QUESTION: Your friend says, 'I saw something amazing today!' You want to know what it was and where they saw it. Form two separate questions, one using 'What' and one using 'Where'. | ANSWER: What did you see? Where did you see it?
MCQ
Quick Quiz
Which of these questions correctly uses the word 'What'?
What is your best friend's name?
What are you going to the market?
What is the boy who is wearing a red shirt?
What time did you arrive?
The Correct Answer Is:
A
Option A correctly uses 'What' to ask for information about a name. Option B should use 'Why' or 'How'. Option C should use 'Who'. Option D should use 'At what time' or just 'What time'.
Real World Connection
In the Real World
When you use a search engine like Google to find information, you are essentially asking 'What' questions. For example, if you type 'What is the highest mountain in India?' or 'What is the recipe for biryani?', the search engine provides information based on your 'What' query. Even customer support chatbots use 'What' to understand your problem, like 'What is the issue you are facing with your mobile data?'
Key Vocabulary
Key Terms
QUESTION WORD: A word used to ask questions, like 'What', 'Who', 'When' | INFORMATION: Facts or details about someone or something | OBJECT: A tangible item that can be seen or touched | IDEA: A thought or suggestion about a possible course of action | IDENTITY: Who or what someone or something is
What's Next
What to Learn Next
Great job understanding 'What'! Next, you should explore 'Who' and 'When' question words. These will further expand your ability to ask specific questions and gather different types of information, making your communication even clearer and more effective.
