English Language Learning - Class 17-3: A Noun Clause that Starts with a Question Word

“How did I get this job?”

Rule:

Noun clauses that start with a question word are usually used to answer a question about the subject.

Examples:

Question: Where does she live? Answer: I don’t know where she lives.

Question: How do you speak French? Answer: I don’t know how to speak French.

Question: Who is the man in the green shirt? Answer: I don’t know who the man is.

Question: When are you going back to school? Answer: I don’t know when I’m going back to school.

Question: Why is she writing a book? Answer: I don’t know why she’s writing a book.

Exercise

Exercise 1: Complete the sentence with the correct noun clause.

1. Question: Where does Tom live? | Answer: I don’t know: where Tom lives.

2. Question: Who is going to be at your party? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.

3. Question: How do you make bread? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.

4. Question: When are you going to the supermarket? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.

5. Question: Why is she cleaning? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.

6. Question: Where is Oregon? | Answer: I know: _________________________.

7. Question: Who is at the door? | Answer: I know who’s: _________________________.

8. Question: How do you ride a bike? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.

9. Question: When are they going to New York City? | Answer: I know: _________________________.

10. Question: Why is she laughing? | Answer: I know: _________________________.

Intermediate English