200 Wh-Question Examples With Answers: Master English Interrogatives

WH-questions are used for gathering information. They begin with words like who, what, when, where, why, and how, helping us ask about people, things, time, places, reasons, and methods.

In this blog post, we’ll provide 200 Wh-question examples with answers to help you improve your English communication skills.

What are Wh-Questions?

Wh-Questions in English — Wh-Question Examples

Wh-questions are interrogative sentences that begin with question words (who, what, when, where, why, how, whose, which) to gather specific information. They cannot be answered with just “yes” or “no.”

Key Features:

Start with a Wh-word (e.g., Who called?, Where is the meeting?).
Seek details—people, things, time, places, reasons, or methods.
Essential for daily communication, interviews, and problem-solving.

Example:

Question: “Why did you choose this career?”
Answer: “Because I love creative problem-solving.”

Wh-questions help deepen conversations and clarify information efficiently.

Wh-Question Words

Here’s a table of Wh-words, their meanings, and examples:

Wh-Word	Meaning	Example Question	Example Answer
Who	Asks about a person	Who is your manager?	Ms. Rodriguez is my manager.
What	Asks about things/actions	What time is the meeting?	The meeting is at 3 PM.
When	Asks about time	When does the store close?	It closes at 9 PM.
Where	Asks about place	Where is the nearest bank?	It’s two blocks away.
Why	Asks about reason	Why are you late?	Because my car broke down.
How	Asks about manner/state	How did you fix the issue?	I restarted the system.
Whose	Asks about possession	Whose notebook is this?	It’s Maria’s notebook.
Which	Asks about choices	Which color do you prefer?	I prefer the blue one.

Note:

How can pair with adjectives/adverbs (e.g., How tall? How often?).
Whom (object form of who) is formal but rarely used in casual speech.

Wh-Question Examples With Answers

1. Who Questions (Asking About People)

Who is your best friend?
– My best friend is Sarah.
Who won the match yesterday?
– Argentina won the match.
Who teaches you English?
– Mr. Smith teaches me English.
Who invented the telephone?
– Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
Who was the president of the United States between 2021-2025?
– The current president is Joe Biden.
Who wrote “Romeo and Juliet”?
– William Shakespeare wrote it.
Who was your first teacher?
– My first teacher was Mrs. Johnson.
Who do you admire the most?
– I admire my parents the most.
Who can help me with this assignment?
– The teacher can help you.
Who do you live with?
– I live with my family.
Who makes the best pizza in town?
– Tony’s Pizzeria makes the best pizza.
Who did you meet at the party?
– I met my old friend, Jake.
Who is your favorite actor?
– My favorite actor is Tom Hanks.
Who was the first person to walk on the moon?
– Neil Armstrong.
Who is the author of “Harry Potter”?
– J.K. Rowling.
Who takes care of your pets?
– I take care of them myself.
Who is the CEO of Apple?
– Tim Cook is the CEO.
Who do you call when you have a problem?
– I call my best friend.
Who plays the main character in that movie?
– The main character is played by Leonardo DiCaprio
Who’s your favorite soccer player?
My favorite soccer player is Ronaldo.

2. What Questions (Asking About Things or Actions)

What is your favorite color?
– My favorite color is blue.
What did you eat for breakfast?
– I ate eggs and toast.
What time does the movie start?
– It starts at 7 PM.
What are you doing right now?
– I’m reading a book.
What is the capital of France?
– The capital of France is Paris.
What do you do for a living?
– I am a teacher.
What makes you happy?
– Spending time with family makes me happy.
What kind of books do you like to read?
– I enjoy mystery and adventure books.
What happened yesterday?
– We had a surprise party for my friend.
What is the most popular sport in your country?
– Soccer is the most popular sport.
What language do you speak at home?
– I speak English and Spanish.
What is your favorite hobby?
– I love painting.
What do you usually do on weekends?
– I go hiking or watch movies.
What is the tallest building in the world?
– The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building.
What do you need help with?
– I need help with my math homework.
What should I wear to the party?
– You should wear something formal.
What are you afraid of?
– I am afraid of heights.
What do you usually order at a restaurant?
– I usually order pasta.
What would you like for breakfast?
– I would like boiled eggs and black coffee.
What is your opinion about the restaurant?
– I think they need to suggest more recipes.
What do you like doing when you’re home?
– I like watching talk shows.
What is your friend’s name?
– Her name is Jane.

3. When Questions (Asking About Time)

When is your birthday?
– My birthday is on June 15th.
When did World War II end?
– It ended in 1945.
When does the train arrive?
– It arrives at 3:30 PM.
When will you finish your project?
– I’ll finish it by next week.
When did you start learning English?
– I started two years ago.
When do you wake up in the morning?
– I wake up at 7 AM.
When was the last time you traveled?
– Last summer.
When do you usually go to bed?
– Around 10 PM.
When do the stores close?
– They close at 9 PM.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
– Spring or fall is the best time.
When will you call me?
– I’ll call you after lunch.
When do you have your English class?
– Every Monday and Wednesday.
When does the store close?
– It closes at 9 PM.
When did you last visit the doctor?
– I went last month.
When will the new season of the show release?
– It releases in December.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
– Spring (March to May) is the best time.
When did you move to this city?
– I moved here three years ago.
When does the meeting start?
– It starts at 10 AM sharp.
When was the last time you traveled abroad?
– Two years ago, before the pandemic.
When is the deadline for the project?
– The deadline is next Friday.
When did you start your current job?
– I started six months ago.
When will the package arrive?
– It should arrive by tomorrow evening.

4. Where Questions (Asking About Places)

Where do you live?
– I live in New York.
Where is the nearest hospital?
– It’s two blocks away.
Where did you go on vacation?
– I went to Spain.
Where was the last Olympics held?
– It was held in Tokyo.
Where can I buy a ticket?
– You can buy it at the counter.
Where is your school located?
– It’s on Main Street.
Where can I find good coffee?
– Try the new cafe downtown.
Where do birds live?
– Birds live in trees and nests.
Where do you usually go on weekends?
– I usually go to the beach.
Where can I park my car?
– There’s a parking lot behind the building.
Where did you buy those shoes?
– I bought them at the mall downtown.
Where can I find a good coffee shop around here?
– There’s a great one just around the corner.
Where were you born?
– I was born in Toronto, Canada.
Where do you usually go on weekends?
– I usually visit my parents or go hiking.
Where is the best place to eat sushi in this city?
– “Sakura Japanese Restaurant” has the best sushi.
Where did you leave your keys?
– I think I left them on the kitchen counter.
Where should we meet for lunch?
– How about the Italian café near the park?
Where does your brother work?
– He works at a tech company in San Francisco.
Where can I park my car?
– There’s a parking lot behind the building.
Where did you learn to play the guitar?
– I took lessons at a music school when I was younger.

5. Why Questions (Asking About Reasons)

Why are you late?
– Because I missed the bus.
Why do you want this job?
– Because I love working in marketing.
Why did she cry?
– She failed her exam.
Why is the sky blue?
– Because of how light scatters in the atmosphere.
Why should we recycle?
– To protect the environment.
Why do you study English?
– Because I want to travel abroad.
Why did you choose this career?
– Because I’ve always been passionate about helping people.
Why is the sky blue?
– Because sunlight scatters in the atmosphere, and blue light is scattered the most.
Why are you learning English?
– To improve my job opportunities and communicate with people worldwide.
Why do birds migrate?
– To find warmer weather and better food sources during winter.
Why did the company change its policy?
– To improve customer satisfaction and streamline operations.
Why should we drink more water?
– Because it helps with digestion, energy levels, and overall health.
Why is exercise important?
– It strengthens the heart, boosts mood, and maintains a healthy weight.
Why did you move to a new city?
– For a better job opportunity and a change of scenery.
Why do people celebrate birthdays?
– To honor the day they were born and celebrate life with loved ones.
Why is recycling necessary?
– To reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment.
Why did the internet stop working?
– There might be an outage, or the router needs to be reset.
Why do we dream?
– Scientists believe dreams help process emotions and memories.
Why are you tired today?
– I stayed up late finishing a project.
Why do some people avoid social media?
– To reduce stress, protect privacy, or focus on real-life connections.
Why did the team lose the game?
– They made too many mistakes and the opponents played better.
Why is reading important?
– It improves vocabulary, knowledge, and critical thinking skills.
Why do we yawn?
– It may help cool the brain or increase oxygen intake when tired.
Why did prices increase?
– Due to inflation, higher demand, or supply chain issues.
Why do cats purr?
– They purr when happy, but also to self-soothe when stressed or sick.
Why did you start your own business?
– To pursue my passion and have more control over my work.

6. How Questions (Asking About Manner, Quantity, or Condition)

How are you?
– I’m fine, thank you.
How old are you?
– I’m 25 years old.
How much does this cost?
– It’s $20.
How often do you exercise?
– Three times a week.
How did you learn to cook?
– By watching YouTube tutorials.
How do you get to school?
– I take the bus.
How do you make homemade pizza?
– Mix flour, yeast, water, and salt for the dough, then add toppings and bake.
How long have you been studying English?
– I’ve been studying for about three years.
How does this machine work?
– Press the power button, select a mode, and follow the instructions.
How was your weekend?
– It was great! I relaxed and spent time with family.
How can I improve my pronunciation?
– Practice listening and repeating words, and consider working with a tutor.
How much sugar should I add to the recipe?
– Just one tablespoon, unless you prefer it sweeter.
How did you fix the broken laptop?
– I replaced the hard drive and reinstalled the operating system.
How often should I water this plant?
– Water it once a week, but check if the soil is dry first.
How far is the beach from here?
– It’s about a 20-minute drive.
How do you stay motivated to exercise?
– I set small goals and track my progress to stay encouraged.
How many languages can you speak?
– I’m fluent in two, but I’m learning a third.
How did the meeting go?
– It went well! We finalized the project details.
How do I reset my password?
– Click “Forgot Password” and follow the email instructions.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
– It’s approximately 330 meters (1,083 feet) tall.
How would you describe your personality?
– I’m outgoing, creative, and a bit adventurous.

7 “Which” Questions (Asking About Choices or Specific Things)

Which color do you prefer, blue or green?
– I prefer blue because it’s calming.
Which movie should we watch tonight?
– Let’s watch the new action movie—it has great reviews.
Which season is your favorite?
– Autumn, because of the cool weather and colorful leaves.
Which phone do you think is better, iPhone or Android?
– It depends on your needs, but I like Android for customization.
Which book had the biggest impact on you?
– Atomic Habits by James Clear—it changed how I approach goals.
Which language is harder to learn, French or Mandarin?
– Mandarin, because of the characters and tones.
Which restaurant has the best pizza in town?
– Pizza Napoli—their wood-fired pizza is amazing.
Which sport do you enjoy watching the most?
– Soccer, because it’s fast-paced and exciting.
Which university did you attend?
– I went to Harvard University.
Which app do you use most often?
– WhatsApp, for messaging and calls.
Which historical figure inspires you the most?
– Nelson Mandela, for his perseverance and leadership.
Which type of music helps you focus?
– Classical or instrumental music works best for me.
Which car brand do you trust the most?
– Toyota—they’re known for reliability.
Which social media platform do you like least?
– Twitter (now X), because it can be too negative.
Which skill would you like to learn next?
– I’d love to learn coding to build my own website.

8 “Whose” Questions (Asking About Possession)

Whose phone is ringing?
– It’s mine—I need to answer it.
Whose jacket is this on the chair?
– That belongs to Sarah from accounting.
Whose idea was this project?
– The marketing team originally proposed it.
Whose turn is it to present next?
– According to the schedule, it’s David’s turn.
Whose car is parked in the no-parking zone?
– I think that’s the manager’s car—he has special permission.
Whose birthday are we celebrating today?
– We’re celebrating Mr. Johnson’s 50th birthday.
Whose responsibility is it to lock up tonight?
– The closing manager handles that—ask Lisa.
Whose signature is required on this document?
– The director’s signature is needed for approval.
Whose dog keeps barking at night?
– That’s our neighbor’s new puppy—it’s still adjusting.
Whose team won the championship last year?
– The Chicago Bulls took the title again.
Whose advice do you trust the most?
– I always value my grandfather’s wisdom.
Whose name should I put on the reservation?
– Please book it under “Smith.”
Whose laptop was left in the conference room?
– Check the login screen—it probably shows the owner’s name.
Whose painting is displayed in the lobby?
– That’s an original by Picasso—the company owns it.
Whose shift covers the weekend?
– The weekend team consists of Maria and Tom.
Whose contact information do I need for this?
– You’ll want to reach out to the HR representative.
Whose book recommendations do you follow?
– I always check Bill Gates’ annual reading list.
Whose permission do we need for this change?
– The department head must approve it first.
Whose handwriting is this on the note?
– That messy script is definitely Dr. Parker’s.
Whose performance impressed you the most?
– The new intern’s presentation was outstanding.

Everyday Life Wh-Questions: Personal, Directions, Health, Weather & More

These practical English questions cover daily conversations, from asking for help to giving opinions.

1. Personal Information Questions

What’s your full name?
– “My name is Alex Johnson.”
Where are you from originally?
– “I’m from Seoul, South Korea.”
How old are you?
– “I’m 28 years old.”
What do you do for a living?
– “I’m a graphic designer.”
What’s your phone number?
– “It’s 555-123-4567.”

2. Asking for Directions

Where is the nearest gas station?
– “Turn left at the next intersection—it’s on your right.”
How do I get to the train station from here?
– “Take Bus 205 or walk straight for 10 minutes.”
Is there a pharmacy around here?
– “Yes, there’s one inside the shopping mall.”
What’s the best way to reach downtown?
– “The subway Line 2 goes directly there.”

3. Health & Symptoms

How are you feeling today?
– “Much better, thanks for asking!”
What symptoms do you have?
– “A fever and sore throat.”
When did the pain start?
– “Last night after dinner.”
What medicine have you taken?
– “Just some ibuprofen this morning.”
When should I see a doctor?
– “If it lasts more than 3 days, yes.”

4. Weather & Seasons

What’s the weather like today?
– “Sunny but chilly—around 12°C.”
Will it rain this weekend?
– “The forecast says showers on Saturday.”
How hot does it get in summer here?
– “Usually above 30°C, with high humidity.”
When does winter start in this region?
– “December through February.”
What time is it supposed to snow tomorrow?
– “They said at 5 pm.”

5. Opinions & Advice

What do you think about this idea?
– “It’s creative, but we need a budget plan first.”
How was the movie?
– “The plot was weak, but the acting saved it.”
Would you recommend this restaurant?
– “Absolutely—their pasta is incredible!”
What should I wear to the interview?
– “A navy suit with a white shirt.”
Why do you prefer Android over iPhone?
– “For the customization options and lower cost.”

6. Shopping & Prices

How much does this cost?
– “It’s $19.99, but there’s a 20% discount today.”
Where can I find the milk?
– “Aisle 5, next to the yogurt section.”
What sizes do you have?
– “Let me check the stockroom for you.”
What’s your return policy?
– “30 days with a receipt for unused items.”
Where can I try this on?
– “The fitting rooms are to your left.”

What are your plans for the holidays?
– “Visiting family in Canada.”
What would you like to do this evening?
– “I’d love to like dinner with my friends.”
When are you free?
– “I am free only in the evening—I have work until 4 PM.”
Who’s coming to the party?
– “About 15 people from our office.”
Why did you cancel the trip?
– “My passport expired unexpectedly.”

To master Wh-questions and improve your speaking, listening, and comprehension skills, practice these 200 Wh-question examples with answers.

Want more practice? Try forming your own Wh-questions based on daily situations. Happy learning!

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