
Questions and question words
Questions are sentences that ask something.
We use a question mark ? at the end of a sentence to show that we're asking a question.
For example:
Where have all the biscuits gone?

Writing questions
Oh, it's been a long day, hasn't it? Oh, do you want a biscuit?
Questions are sentences which ask something. They end with a question mark. That's the funny squiggle with a dot over there. We use one of these instead of a full stop.
Often questions begin with a question word, like who, when or how.
Did you eat all the biscuits? Then who did? Oh! What about him? Oh, why does this always happen? I really fancied a biscuit too.
Watch: What are question marks?
Listen to some questions and see how to punctuate them correctly.
NARRATOR
Brain! This is Question Mark. Question Mark, this is Brain.
BRAIN
BRAIN!
QUESTION MARK
Why is there a brain on a trampoline?
NARRATOR
A question mark goes on the end of every question!
QUESTION MARK
Why are you explaining what I do?
NARRATOR
Oh, look! There’s another one!
QUESTION MARK
Who keeps talking?
NARRATOR
And another! Wow, you’re on a roll!
QUESTION MARK
Are you going to do that after everything I say?
NARRATOR
Look at you go!
QUESTION MARK
Are they always like this?
BRAIN
Brain!
Question words
Many questions start with 'wh' words, like:
- who
- what
- when
- where
- which
- why
'wh' is a grapheme where two letters (w and h) are brought together to make one sound.
Questions can also start with lots of other words like:
- can
- could
- how.
Activity 1
Have a go at this quiz to test your knowledge on writing questions.
Activity 2
Test yourself with this quiz on ‘wh’ question words.
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