This document discusses forming wh- questions in the present progressive tense, using structure examples such as 'what am I doing?' and 'where is he going?'. It emphasizes the usage of short answers in informal conversation and includes practice activities for learners to enhance their questioning skills. The content is aimed at teaching grammar related to asking about actions happening currently.

1. The Present Progressive:
Wh- Questions
6
Focus on Grammar 1
Part V, Unit 16
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
At the Movies

2. What’s happening?
What’s
happening?
Ahhh…!! This movie is so
scary! I can’t watch ...
Well, the aliens
are looking for
life on the planet.
Who are they
looking for?
I think they are
looking for
humans.
I think they are
getting hungry.
Why???

3. Form
Begin wh- questions in the present progressive with a
question word like what, where, why, who, or how. Use
am, is, or are + the –ing form of the verb.
Wh- Word
Be
Verb Subject -ing Verb Form
What am I doing?
Where is he going?
Who are you meeting?

4. Who
Use who to ask about a person.
Who is he
talking to?
Who are
they
directing?

5. Why
Use why to ask for reasons.
Why are you
laughing?
Because this
is the funny
part.

6. They are watching a romantic movie.
She’s leaving because the movie is too scary.
I’m sitting with my friends.
Practice 1
Look at the underlined words.
Then make questions with the
present progressive.
Question: Where is he standing?
Answer: He is standing in front of the projector.
What are they watching?
Question: Where is he standing?
Answer: He is standing in front of the movie projector.
Example:
Why is she leaving?
Who are you sitting with?
1. Question:
2. Question:
3. Question:

7. Answers
In informal conversation, answers are often
short.
What’s playing at the
theater?
A new romantic movie!
Ugh…

8. Intonation
In wh- questions, your voice goes up and
down at the end.
What are they wearing?
Why are they standing?

9. Practice 2
Work with a partner. Ask and
answer questions about the
pictures. Practice intonation and
short answers.
Question: What is he eating?
Example: what / he / eat
Short Answer: A lot of junk food.
Question: What is he eating?
Example:
Short Answer: A lot of junk food.
1. Where / he / hide 2. Why / she / cry 3. Who / you / talk to

10. References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its
licensors. All rights reserved.