PRESENT SIMPLE EXERCISE 3: WH-QUESTIONS (ESL)
level: Beginner/A2
✓ Useful for IELTS
✓ Useful for TOEFL
The last piece of the present simple puzzle: wh-questions. These follow a strict word order: wh-word, then do/does, then the subject, then the base verb. Getting that order wrong is one of the most common mistakes learners make at this level.
Grammar review
The present simple: wh-questions
Wh-questions ask for specific information (not just yes/no) using words like what, where, when, why, who, and how.
Word order:
Wh-word + do/does + subject + base verb + …?
“Where do you work?”
“What time does the train arrive?”
Do vs. does:
• I/you/we/they → do: “What do they need?”
• he/she/it → does: “Why does he exercise so much?”
The most common mistake:
Once does is doing the "he/she/it" job, the main verb goes back to its plain base form. No extra -s.
✗ “Where does he lives?” (wrong: double marking)
✓ “Where does he live?” (correct)
This exercise focuses purely on question word order. For the other two present simple patterns, see affirmative sentences and negative sentences.
Wh-questions ask for specific information (not just yes/no) using words like what, where, when, why, who, and how.
Word order:
Wh-word + do/does + subject + base verb + …?
“Where do you work?”
“What time does the train arrive?”
Do vs. does:
• I/you/we/they → do: “What do they need?”
• he/she/it → does: “Why does he exercise so much?”
The most common mistake:
Once does is doing the "he/she/it" job, the main verb goes back to its plain base form. No extra -s.
✗ “Where does he lives?” (wrong: double marking)
✓ “Where does he live?” (correct)
This exercise focuses purely on question word order. For the other two present simple patterns, see affirmative sentences and negative sentences.
Complete each question with the correct do/does + subject + base verb combination.
Example: What time do you (you/wake up) usually wake up?
KEEP PRACTICING: MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU
More simple present exercises:
Present Simple 1: Affirmative (A1/A2)
Present Simple 2: Negative (A1/A2)
Related present continuous exercises:
Present Continuous Tense Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Present Continuous Tense Exercise 2 (A2/B1)
Simple Present or Present Continuous? Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Simple Present or Present Continuous? Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Do or Does? 1 (A1/A2)
Which Word: Do, Does, Is, Are? 1 (B1-B2)
Do or Does? Exercise 2 (A1-A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
More simple present exercises:
Present Simple 1: Affirmative (A1/A2)
Present Simple 2: Negative (A1/A2)
Related present continuous exercises:
Present Continuous Tense Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Present Continuous Tense Exercise 2 (A2/B1)
Simple Present or Present Continuous? Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Simple Present or Present Continuous? Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Do or Does? 1 (A1/A2)
Which Word: Do, Does, Is, Are? 1 (B1-B2)
Do or Does? Exercise 2 (A1-A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
