Semaine 8 – Jour 2 Comment poser des questions en Anglais niveau B1 – B2
INTRODUCTION
Hier, tu as appris à poser des questions avec Do / Does et Be.
Aujourd’hui, tu vas poser des vraies questions de conversation.
Les questions qui commencent par :
What – Where – When – Why – Who – Which – How
Ce sont les WH-questions.
Elles ouvrent la discussion.
LISTENING DU JOUR
COURS & EXERCICE D'APPLICATION
❓ HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH (B1 → B2)
Asking questions correctly is essential for real conversations — in interviews, exams, and everyday life. This lesson covers the main types of questions in English, from the basics (B1) to more advanced, nuanced structures (B2).
🔑 GOLDEN RULE:
(Question word) + AUXILIARY + SUBJECT + VERB (base form) + ... ?
Ex: Where do you live?
(Question word) + AUXILIARY + SUBJECT + VERB (base form) + ... ?
Ex: Where do you live?
PART A — B1 FOUNDATIONS
1. Yes/No Questions
Structure: Auxiliary (Do/Does/Did/Is/Are/Have) + Subject + Verb + ?
Do you like coffee? — Does she speak French? — Are you ready? — Have you finished?
Answer: Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't. / Yes, I am.
Do you like coffee? — Does she speak French? — Are you ready? — Have you finished?
Answer: Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't. / Yes, I am.
2. Wh- Questions
Structure: Question word + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb + ?
What do you do? — Where does he work? — When did they leave? — Why are you late? — How did you do it?
Question words: What, Where, When, Why, Who, Which, How.
What do you do? — Where does he work? — When did they leave? — Why are you late? — How did you do it?
Question words: What, Where, When, Why, Who, Which, How.
3. Subject Questions (no auxiliary)
When "Who" or "What" IS the subject, we don't add "do/does/did".
Who called you? (NOT "Who did call you?")
What happened? — Who broke the window?
Compare: "Who did you call?" (object question — needs "did") vs "Who called you?" (subject question — no "did").
Who called you? (NOT "Who did call you?")
What happened? — Who broke the window?
Compare: "Who did you call?" (object question — needs "did") vs "Who called you?" (subject question — no "did").
4. Question Tags
Structure: Statement + auxiliary (opposite polarity) + pronoun
You're coming, aren't you? — She doesn't like tea, does she? — He can swim, can't he?
Rule: Positive statement → negative tag. Negative statement → positive tag.
You're coming, aren't you? — She doesn't like tea, does she? — He can swim, can't he?
Rule: Positive statement → negative tag. Negative statement → positive tag.
5. Polite / Indirect Questions
Structure: Could you tell me + question word/if + Subject + Verb (normal word order, NO inversion)
Could you tell me where the station is? — Do you know what time it is?
❌ NOT "Could you tell me where is the station?"
Could you tell me where the station is? — Do you know what time it is?
❌ NOT "Could you tell me where is the station?"
PART B — B2 EXTENSION
6. Negative Questions (surprise, suggestion, confirmation)
Structure: Negative auxiliary + Subject + Verb + ?
Don't you think it's getting late? — Doesn't she work here anymore? — Isn't this amazing?
Used to express surprise, invite agreement, or make a suggestion — the speaker often expects "yes".
Don't you think it's getting late? — Doesn't she work here anymore? — Isn't this amazing?
Used to express surprise, invite agreement, or make a suggestion — the speaker often expects "yes".
7. Embedded / Reported Questions (formal & indirect speech)
Structure: I wonder / I'd like to know / Do you know + question word/if/whether + Subject + Verb (no inversion)
I wonder what she meant. — I'd like to know if you're coming. — Do you know whether the shop is open?
In reported questions (indirect speech), the tense shifts back: She asked me where I lived (not "where do I live").
I wonder what she meant. — I'd like to know if you're coming. — Do you know whether the shop is open?
In reported questions (indirect speech), the tense shifts back: She asked me where I lived (not "where do I live").
8. Questions with Prepositions
In everyday English, the preposition goes at the end of the question:
Who are you talking to? — What are you thinking about? — Who did you go with?
In formal/academic English, the preposition can move before the question word:
To whom are you speaking? — About what are you thinking?
Who are you talking to? — What are you thinking about? — Who did you go with?
In formal/academic English, the preposition can move before the question word:
To whom are you speaking? — About what are you thinking?
9. Formal & Academic Question Structures
Used in essays, debates, and presentations:
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
What is the significance of this discovery?
What are the implications of climate change for Africa?
How far can we trust this information?
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
What is the significance of this discovery?
What are the implications of climate change for Africa?
How far can we trust this information?
📊 Full Summary Table
| Type | Level | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No | B1 | Do you study English? |
| Wh- | B1 | Where do you live? |
| Subject | B1 | Who called you? |
| Tag | B1 | You're tired, aren't you? |
| Polite/Indirect | B1 | Could you tell me where it is? |
| Negative | B2 | Don't you think it's late? |
| Embedded/Reported | B2 | I wonder what she meant. |
| Preposition | B2 | Who are you talking to? |
| Academic | B2 | To what extent do you agree? |
💡 TIP: In embedded/indirect questions, NEVER invert the subject and verb — even though it "feels" like a question. ❌ "I wonder where is she" → ✅ "I wonder where she is."
🎙️ Coach Assoa: "Mastering questions — from simple Yes/No to academic 'To what extent...?' — shows real fluency. This is exactly what examiners and interviewers listen for. ZERO PANIC!"
✏️ Application Exercise
15 questions • You will have 23 minutes to complete this exercise.