Wh-Questions and Everyday Shopping
October 22, 2025
Pronunciation Practice
| /ʌ/ | /kw/ | /eə/ | /iː/ |
|---|---|---|---|
| currants | a queen | a prayer | meat |
| just | a question | stairs | to need |
| suddenly | a quince | where | a piece |
Grammar: Wh-Questions (Special Questions)
Special questions begin with question words such as
who, what, where, why, when, whom, which, whose, how, how many, how much.
These questions do not require a “yes” or “no” answer — they ask for information.
They are spoken with a falling intonation and have direct word order.
Examples
Mrs Netway was in London last year.
→ Who was in London last year?The table stands near the window.
→ What stands near the window?
Using who and what
- Who – for people.
- What – for things.
I am in the room. → Who is in the room?
We shall meet tomorrow. → Who will meet tomorrow?
Auxiliary verbs after question words
After where, why, what, when, whom, how, we use auxiliary verbs such as
do, does, did, shall, will.
Where does Vanessa live?
Why did Tim read that tragedy?
When will Ted learn the new words?
Whom did Mrs Wood write the letter?
How shall we play basketball?
Questions with which, what, whose, how much, how many
After these words, the subject comes first, then the auxiliary verb.
Which comedy by Shakespeare do you like best?
What colour is Ellen’s dress?
Whose pen is this?
How much time did Nick study that play?
How many times did Nick read that story?
Questions with prepositions
Prepositions can come at the end or before the question word.
(At) what time does the train leave?
(With) whom do you want to travel?
Vocabulary: Dishes /ˈdɪʃɪz/
| English | Pronunciation | Lithuanian |
|---|---|---|
| tea-spoon | – | arbatinis šaukštelis |
| wine glass | /waɪn ɡlɑːs/ | taurėlė |
| saucer | /ˈsɔːsə/ | lėkštelė |
| bowl | /baʊl/ | dubuo |
| jar | /dʒɑː/ | stiklainis |
| coffee set | – | kavos servizas |
| dinner set | – | pietų servizas |
| tea set | – | arbatos servizas |
| salad dish | /ˈsæləd dɪʃ/ | salotinė |
| butter dish | /ˈbʌtə dɪʃ/ | sviestinė |
| bread plate | – | duoninė |
| salt cellar | /ˈsɒlt ˈselə/ | druskinė |
| sugar basin | /ˈʃʊɡə ˈbeɪsɪn/ | cukrinė |
| pepper box | /ˈpepə bɒks/ | pipirinė |
| sauceboat | /ˈsɔːsˌbəʊt/ | padažinė |
| mustard pot | /ˈmʌstəd pɒt/ | indelis garstyčioms |
| kettle | /ˈketl/ | virdulys |
| coffee pot | – | kavinukas |
| lid | – | dangtis |
| pepper mill | /ˈpepə mɪl/ | pipirų malūnėlis |
| coffee grinder | /ˈkɒfi ˈɡraɪndə/ | kavos malūnėlis |
| thermos | /ˈθɜːməs/ | termosas |
| tray | /treɪ/ | padėklas |
Everyday Phrases ☕
Emily: Dear husband, we must go to the shop.
Ted: In the afternoon?
Emily: Yes. When will you finish your work?
Ted: At half past five.
Emily: We need a thermos of two litres and a pepper mill.
Ted: I’ll take you from your school, and then we’ll go to the town centre.
Emily: I’ll wait for you.
Ted: So long!
Shop Dialogue
Emily: I want to buy a thermos.
Shop assistant: What capacity do you need?
Emily: Two litres.
Shop assistant: Sorry, we haven’t got such thermoses on sale now. What else do you want?
Emily: A pepper mill, please.
Shop assistant: Wooden or plastic?
Emily: Wooden. How much is it?
Shop assistant: Twelve litas.
Emily: Thank you. I’ll come again for the thermos next time.
Vocabulary (Dialogues)
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| to finish | /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ | baigti |
| litre | /ˈliːtə/ | litras |
| shop assistant | /ʃɒp əˈsɪstənt/ | pardavėjas |
| capacity | /kəˈpæsɪtɪ/ | talpa |
| what else | /wɒt els/ | ką dar |
| on sale | /seɪl/ | parduodama |
| at the moment | /ət ðə ˈməʊmənt/ | šiuo metu |
| plastic | /ˈplæstɪk/ | plastmasė |
Exercises
Exercise 1Fill in the Wh-Question Words
Fill in the blanks with the correct question word: who, what, where, why, when, how.
- ____ is in the kitchen?
- ____ do you like tea?
- ____ are you going to buy?
- ____ is your favourite dish?
- ____ are they so happy?
Exercise 2Make Questions
Turn these sentences into special questions.
- The shop opens at nine. → ________
- She bought a thermos yesterday. → ________
- They are talking to the shop assistant. → ________
- Ted works in the town centre. → ________
- Emily wants a pepper mill. → ________
Exercise 3Choose the Correct Question
Choose the correct question.
-
You go to the shop every day.
a) When do you go to the shop?
b) Do you go the shop when? -
She lives in Kaunas.
a) Where does she live?
b) Does she live where? -
They drink coffee in the morning.
a) What do they drink in the morning?
b) Do they drink what in the morning? -
The pepper mill costs twelve litas.
a) How much does the pepper mill cost?
b) Does how much the pepper mill cost? -
Ted works hard.
a) How does Ted work?
b) Ted how works?
Exercise 4Match the Words with Meanings
Match the words.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| kettle | a pot for boiling water |
| saucer | a small plate for a cup |
| bowl | a deep round dish |
| thermos | keeps drinks hot or cold |
| pepper mill | grinds pepper |
Exercise 5Translate into English
Translate these questions into English.
- Ką tu darai?
- Kodėl ji verkia?
- Kur jie gyvena?
- Kada atvyksta traukinys?
- Kiek kainuoja šis puodelis?
Exercise 6Answer the Questions
Answer in short sentences.
- What do you eat for breakfast?
- Where do you usually shop?
- When do you drink tea?
- How many cups do you have at home?
- Which dish do you like best?
Exercise 7Correct the Mistakes
Correct the questions.
- What time the shop opens?
- Where does lives Emily?
- How much cost the pepper mill?
- Who you are waiting for?
- Why she is late?
Exercise 8Dialogue Practice
Continue the dialogue.
Shop assistant: What can I help you with today?
You: ____________________
Shop assistant: What size or colour would you like?
You: ____________________
Shop assistant: Anything else?
You: ____________________
Exercise 9Fill in Prepositions
Complete the questions with correct prepositions.
- (At) ____ time does the lesson start?
- (With) ____ are you going to the shop?
- (For) ____ did you buy this dish?
- (About) ____ are you talking?
- (From) ____ shop did you get this bowl?
Exercise 10Mixed Review
Fill in the correct question word or answer.
- ____ is buying the thermos?
- ____ does the pepper mill cost?
- ____ are you looking for?
- ____ helps you at the shop?
- A pepper mill costs ____ litas.
- ____ do you drink coffee – morning or evening?
- My favourite dish is a ____.
- ____ did Emily go shopping?
- I don’t know ____ jar this is.
- We are talking ____ the new dinner set.