What is the MOST USEFUL QUESTION? Easy English TIP 4

What is the MOST USEFUL QUESTION? Can you guess? Easy English TIP #4 English Speaking 360

Explanation + Activities

What is the MOST USEFUL QUESTION?

Why “How was it?” is the Most Useful Question

The question “How was it?” is very useful because you can ask it in many different situations. It helps you continue a conversation easily.

When Can You Use “How Was It?”

  1. After an event or activity:
    When someone talks about something they did, you can ask “How was it?” to show you are interested.
    • Example: “I went to a concert last night.” – “How was it?”
  2. After someone tries something new:
    If someone talks about trying a new food, watching a new movie, or visiting a new place, this question is perfect.
    • Example: “I ate sushi for the first time.” – “How was it?”
  3. After a trip or vacation:
    When someone comes back from a holiday or trip, you can use this to ask about their experience.
    • Example: “I just got back from Paris.” – “How was it?”
  4. After an important meeting or exam:
    If someone tells you they had an interview or took a test, ask “How was it?” to show you care.
    • Example: “I had a job interview today.” – “How was it?”
  5. After an appointment:
    You can use it when someone mentions going to the doctor, dentist, or any appointment.
    • Example: “I went to the dentist this morning.” – “How was it?”

By asking “How was it?”, you show interest and make it easy for the other person to keep talking. It’s a simple and polite way to keep the conversation going!

How to adapt “How Was It?”

“How was it?” is a very useful question because you can change “it” to fit almost any situation. Here’s how you can change it based on what you’re talking about:

  1. How was the food?
    • Use when talking about a meal or anything you ate.
    • Example: “How was the food at the restaurant?”
  2. How was the game?
    • Use when talking about a sports game, board game, or any competition.
    • Example: “How was the game last night?”
  3. How was the movie?
    • Use when talking about a film or TV show.
    • Example: “How was the movie you saw yesterday?”
  4. How was the weather?
    • Use when talking about the weather.
    • Example: “How was the weather this morning?”
  5. How was your day?
    • Use when asking about someone’s day.
    • Example: “How was your day at work?”
  6. How was the meeting?
    • Use when talking about a business or casual meeting.
    • Example: “How was the meeting with your boss?”
  7. How was the trip?
    • Use when talking about a travel experience.
    • Example: “How was the trip to Paris?”

In all these examples, “How was it?” is changed to fit the specific thing you are talking about. It helps you ask about different experiences, making your conversation sound more natural.

Practice

Activity 1: Match the Question to the Situation

Instructions:

  1. Read the situations below.
  2. Match each situation with the correct version of “How was it?”

Situations:

  1. You’re talking to a friend who just came back from a vacation in Tokyo.
  2. Your classmate is telling you about their first experience eating sushi.
  3. Your coworker is describing a big meeting they had with their boss.
  4. Your friend went to a movie last night.
  5. Your family member is telling you about their recent trip to the dentist.

Questions:

  • A) “How was the trip?”
  • B) “How was the appointment?”
  • C) “How was the movie?”
  • D) “How was the meeting?”
  • E) “How was the food?”

Answer Key:

  1. A
  2. E
  3. D
  4. C
  5. B

Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks with “How Was It?” Variations

Instructions: Fill in the blank spaces with the correct form of “How was it?” based on the situation.

Situations:

  1. Friend: “I went to a concert last night.”
    You: “______?”
  2. Classmate: “I watched a new movie on Netflix.”
    You: “______?”
  3. Coworker: “I had a job interview today.”
    You: “______?”
  4. Family Member: “I went to the doctor this morning.”
    You: “______?”
  5. Friend: “I ate a new dish at the restaurant.”
    You: “______?”

Answer Key:

  1. “How was the concert?”
  2. “How was the movie?”
  3. “How was the interview?”
  4. “How was the appointment?”
  5. “How was the food?”

Activity 3: True or False – Understanding the Question Use

Instructions:

  1. Read the statement.
  2. Decide if the use of “How was it?” or its variations is correct for that situation.

Statements:

  1. “I had a job interview today.” – “How was the job?” (True/False)
  2. “I went to a concert last night.” – “How was the food?” (True/False)
  3. “I went to the dentist this morning.” – “How was the appointment?” (True/False)
  4. “I watched a movie last weekend.” – “How was the movie?” (True/False)
  5. “I just returned from a holiday in Thailand.” – “How was the trip?” (True/False)

Answer Key:

  1. False (Should be “How was the interview?”)
  2. False (Should be “How was the concert?”)
  3. True
  4. True
  5. True

Activity 4: Sentence Building – Make a Question

Objective: Help students practice forming questions using “How was it?” and its variations.

Instructions: Read the sentence and change it into a question using “How was it?” based on the information given.

  1. Sentence: “I had a meeting with my boss.”
    Question: ______________
  2. Sentence: “I watched a new movie last night.”
    Question: ______________
  3. Sentence: “I just came back from a trip to the beach.”
    Question: ______________
  4. Sentence: “I tried a new kind of pizza for dinner.”
    Question: ______________
  5. Sentence: “I went to a wedding last weekend.”
    Question: ______________

Answer Key:

  1. “How was the meeting with your boss?”
  2. “How was the movie?”
  3. “How was the trip to the beach?”
  4. “How was the pizza?”
  5. “How was the wedding?”

Activity 5: Story Time – Using “How Was It?”

Objective: Practice using “How was it?” in a conversation based on a short story.

Instructions: Read the story and then answer the following questions using “How was it?”

Story:
“Last weekend, I went to the beach with my friends. The weather was perfect, and we had a great time swimming and playing volleyball. After that, we went to a restaurant nearby and tried a new type of seafood. It was delicious! On Sunday, I had an appointment at the dentist, but luckily, it was quick and not painful.”

Questions:

  1. What question would you ask about the weather at the beach?
  2. How could you ask about the restaurant experience?
  3. What question would you ask about the dentist appointment?

Answer Key:

  1. “How was the weather at the beach?”
  2. “How was the seafood at the restaurant?”
  3. “How was the appointment at the dentist?”
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