Asking Questions

Using this Site Home a Learning Fortress Stress Management Using this Site About the Editor
Letters & Sounds Section Overview Alphabet Drills References Coach's Guide
Other Sections Letters & Sounds Forming Sentences Composing Good Things to Read Rhyme and Reason
accept? yespause audio
   Home /  Letters and Sounds /  lessons / antonyms

Asking Questions

(One of the best skills you can develop.)

A question sentence usually starts with a visual clue (a question word or an auxiliary verb) and always ends with a question mark (?).

Common Ways to Form Questions
1. Question Words
Start with: who, what, where, when, why, how
Everyday
  • What are you doing?
  • Where is the library?
  • How can I help you?
Going Deeper
  • Why do people interpret events differently?
  • What evidence supports this claim?
  • How do scientists determine what is true?
2. Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs
Start with: is, are, do, does, can, will (Yes/No questions)
Everyday
  • Is she coming to the party?
  • Do you like pizza?
  • Can I offer a suggestion?
Going Deeper
  • Is that the only interpretation?
  • Does he have any proof?
  • Are there other alternatives?
3. Choice Questions
Offer two or more options using or
  • Would you like tea or coffee?
  • Should we go to the park or stay home?
  • Should we decide now or wait for the report?
4. Tag Questions
A short question added to the end of a statement
  • It's raining, isn't it?
  • You are coming, aren't you?
  • That is a chicken and egg question, isn't it?
Punctuation & Tone of Voice Clues

Sometimes a sentence looks like a regular statement, but the question mark (?) at the end (or a rising voice when speaking) changes it into a question:

  • His dog is missing?
  • She called again?

Put It Into Practice: Roleplay with AI

Asking the right question is an art. You can use an AI chat window as a supportive partner to practice forming questions at your own reading level.
Copy and Paste This Starter Prompt into an AI Chat:

"I am an adult literacy student. My coach suggests I am at Level 2, so please respond in plain language. I want to practice forming questions. Can you help me practice? Let's pretend you are selling a dog and I want to know more about it."

How to Continue the Practice:
  1. Ask your first question: Try using a question word (e.g., "What breed is the dog?" or "How old is he?").
  2. Ask a Yes/No question: Try starting with a verb (e.g., "Is he good with kids?" or "Does he bark a lot?").
  3. Ask a choice question: Offer options (e.g., "Does he like running outside or sleeping on the couch?").
  4. Ask a probing question: (e.g., "Why are you selling him?").

Keep the conversation going.