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Lesson Plan September 20, 2024

Topic: Subject & Object Questions

Section A: Introduction

We use subject questions when we ask about the subject of a sentence.

• Somebody is knocking at the door.

  • Who is knocking at the door?

• Something started the fire.

  • What started the fire?

We use object questions when we ask about the object of a sentence.

• Paul is reading something.

  • What is Paul reading?

• John tried to call somebody.

  • Who did John try to call?

Section B: Subject Question Rules

Forming subject questions are easy! There is no change int he word order of the sentence. Just replace the subject with the appropriate question word; who, where, what, why, etc

• Somebody phoned the police.

  • Who phoned the police?

Section C: Object Question Rules

With object questions, we need to change the word order. If there is a be verb, auxiliary verb or modal verb (was, have, will, can etc) we put the subject after that verb.

• Allie will be at home tonight.

  • Where will Allie be tonight?

• You can speak three languages.

  • How many languages can you speak?

If there’s more than one auxiliary verb, we reverse the position of the subject and the first auxiliary verb.

• Paul has been meeting someone.

  • Who has Paul been meeting?

If we are using the present simple to ask questions, we use do / does

• They live in Spain.

  • Where do they live?

• David eats yogurt for breakfast.

  • What does David eat for breakfast?

If we are using the past simple to ask questions, we use did

• They stayed at a cheap motel.

  • Where did they stay?

Lesson Notes

Words & Phrases

• Staying home and studying English is a good way to beat the heat! (= stay cool and avoid the heat)

• Let’s leave early and beat the traffic.

• I want to do my grocery shopping early to beat the crowds.

• I always drink water to beat the heat when I'm outside.

• We woke up early to beat the sun on our hike.

• I'm finishing my work now to beat the deadline.

Appropriacy

Using something and somebody can leave the subject vague and open-ended, encouraging the listener to ask follow-up questions.

A: How was lunch?
B: It was great. I saw somebody at lunch.
A: Who?
B: You won’t believe who.
A: Ok, who did you see?
B: Your old boss, she asked about you.
A: I hope you didn’t say anything …

——

A: How was your weekend?
B: It was amazing! I found something interesting at the market.
A: Really? What did you find?
B: You won’t believe it.
A: Come on, tell me!
B: I found an original painting by a famous artist!
A: No way, that’s incredible!