Information Question: An information Question is such sort of question which is either direct or indirect. When we change direct questions to indirect questions, we ought to adopt the given rules:
Rule no. 1. We do not change the tense.
Rule no. 2. When we talk about questions, it can be either ‘WH’ or ‘YES/NO’ only.
Rule no. 3. If there is a ‘wh’ question, then the same wh-word is used.
Rule no. 4. If there is a Yes/no question, we use if/whether.
Rule no. 5. After wh-word or if/ whether, we must not forget to remember to use Subject, then verb then only object.
Rule no. 6. To change the indirect question to a direct question, students are requested not to copy or leave the part before WH word /if/whether, and they must only make wh question or yes/no question only.
Rule no. 7. If the sentence is started subject then in an indirect question, there will be a full stop at the end of the sentence, but if it starts from an auxiliary verb then we must insert the full stop at the end of the sentence.
Rule no. 8. Keep in mind that we are talking or writing about Information Question so it has no change of tenses. Tense is only changed in Narration/Reported Speech/Direct or Indirect speech.
Let’s Practice with these examples:
A. I wanted to know, “Where is Arjun’s room? (Direct Question)
In the inverted commas, there is a wh question started from where so we must join by the same wh-word.
Answer: I wanted to know where Arjun’s room is.
In the answer above after ‘where’ we use Rule no 5 because from direct to indirect questions after if/whether, or wh-word, we must write SVO pattern.
B. I wanted to know, “Do you find Arjun’s Room?”
In the inverted commas, there is a yes/no question starting from ““Do you find Arjun’s Room?” So we must join this sentence with "if or whether" and then SVO Patterns. Thus,
Answer: I wanted to know if you find Arjun’s room.
Did you remember, “Where has he been?” (In this direct question, we have a question mark because the sentence has started from “DID”)
To answer an indirect question:
Did you remember where he has been? (Indirect question)
Now, let’s have a look at the following exercise from the BOOK OF GRADE XII Page NO. 50.
Change these indirect questions into direct ones.
a.
Could you tell me where Market Street is?
Answer: where is Market Street?
( here could you tell me should not write in your answer and the sentence after that is 'where' so make were question an answer.)
b.
I'm longing to know what time the bank opens.
Answer what time does the bank open?
( here ‘I'm longing to know' should not write in your answer and the sentence after that is 'what time' so make what time question as an answer. Remember there is the verb “OPENS” which is verb five, so does not apply to another tense)
c. Do you have any idea how he's managed to get in shape so quickly?
Answer: How is he managed to get in shape so quickly?
(Note that do not write “Do you have any idea” in your answer.)
d.
I'd like to know how much this motorcycle costs these days.
Answer: How much does this motorcycle cost these days?
e.
Did you notice if he had left the car in the park?
Answer: Had he left the car in the park?
f.
Have you found out if the train has left?
Answer: Has the train left?
g.
I was wondering if they speak English well.
Answer: Do they speak English well.
h.
Would you tell us how we can get to the post office from here?
Answer: How can we get to the post office from here?
i.
Do you remember if I locked the front door?
Answer: Did you/I lock the front door?