Writing: Basic Mechanics and Formation (A1) - Lesson 6: Using Question Marks for Simple Questions

Lesson 6: Using Question Marks for Simple Questions

We have learned that a telling sentence, or a statement¹, ends with a full stop (.). But what if we want to ask² for information? For that, we need to write a question³.

Today, we will learn how to use a question mark⁴ (?) to write correct questions.

Statement vs. Question

A statement tells something. A question asks something. Look at the difference:

Statement (Telling):

My name is Dara.

Question (Asking):

What is your name?

When your sentence is a question, you must end it with a question mark (?), not a full stop.

Common Question Words

Many questions start with special question words⁵. These words signal that you are asking for information.

• What → What is this?
• Where → Where is the market?
• When → When is the bus leaving?
• Who → Who is your teacher?
• Why → Why are you sad?
• How → How are you today?

✍️ Sentence Punctuation Checklist

Use this checklist for every sentence you write:

• ✔️ Does it start with a capital letter?
• ✔️ Is it a statement (telling)? → End with a full stop (.).
• ✔️ Is it a question (asking)? → End with a question mark (?).

🧠 Practice Quiz: Full Stop or Question Mark?

Read each sentence and decide if it needs a full stop (.) or a question mark (?).

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1. I am a student__

Answer: Full stop ( . ) — This is a statement.

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2. How old are you__

Answer: Question mark ( ? ) — This is a question.

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3. Where do you live__

Answer: Question mark ( ? ) — This is a question.

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4. The river in Kampot is long__

Answer: Full stop ( . ) — This is a statement.

📝 Homework: Write Statements and Questions

Get your notebook and pen to practice what you learned.

Part 1: Correct the Punctuation

Copy these sentences and add the correct ending mark (. or ?).

1. What is your favorite food_
2. My favorite food is noodles_
3. Where is the bathroom_

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Part 2: Write Your Own

Write two statements about yourself. Then, write two questions you could ask a new friend.

Example Answers:

• (Statement) My house is blue.
• (Statement) I have one brother.
• (Question) What is your name?
• (Question) Do you like music?

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Statement: (Noun) - ប្រយោគបញ្ជាក់ - A sentence that tells information or states a fact. It ends with a full stop. ↩
2. Ask: (Verb) - សួរ - To say something in order to get an answer or information. ↩
3. Question: (Noun) - សំណួរ - A sentence that asks for information. ↩
4. Question Mark: (Noun) - សញ្ញាសួរ - The punctuation mark (?) used at the end of a question. ↩
5. Question Word: (Noun) - ពាក្យសំណួរ - A word (like What, Where, Who) that begins a question. ↩