Question words: who, when, where, why, how — Critical thinking for kids

Thinking tip

The right word opens the answer — “who → person, when → time, where → place, why → reason, how → way”

1. Who → a person: the person who called, the player who scored. When → a time: the date of the exam, the hour the shop opens.
2. Where → a place: the place of the party, the city she lives in. Why → a reason: the reason for a delay, the purpose of a rule.
3. How → a way or steps: the steps to make tea, the way bees make honey.

Use it for: Class discussions, projects, interviews, science experiments and learning anything new.

Worked example: ❓ Which question word helps you find out the steps to make tea? → how

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Lesson 2 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the ❓ Question Asker badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 6 lessons of Part 1 · Ask good questions. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Asking Good Questions Worksheet: Question Words

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)