Interrogative Determiner Function Quiz

1. The question 'Whose house is that?' asks for a choice between different houses.

True

False

This is false. Whose asks for the identity of the owner (possession), not a selection between items.

Explanation

This is false. Whose asks for the identity of the owner (possession), not a selection between items.

2. If the question asks you to pick one book out of a pile of ten, the correct determiner is most likely:

What

Whose

Which

Why

A pile of ten books is a limited set, so Which is the correct determiner to ask for a selection or choice.

Explanation

A pile of ten books is a limited set, so Which is the correct determiner to ask for a selection or choice.

3. In the question, "Which city did you enjoy more: New York or London?", the determiner 'which' asks for:

General information

A choice

Possession

An opinion

The comparison between two specific cities means the determiner which is functioning to ask for a selection or choice.

Explanation

The comparison between two specific cities means the determiner which is functioning to ask for a selection or choice.

4. In the question, "Whose book is this?", the determiner 'whose' asks for:

General information

Choice or selection

Possession or ownership

The time

Whose is a possessive determiner. Its function is always to ask about the owner or possessor of the noun that follows it.

Explanation

Whose is a possessive determiner. Its function is always to ask about the owner or possessor of the noun that follows it.

5. The question 'What color is your shirt?' asks for possession.

True

False

This is false. What asks for general information (the name of the color), not who owns the shirt (possession).

Explanation

This is false. What asks for general information (the name of the color), not who owns the shirt (possession).

6. In the question, "Which flavor of ice cream do you prefer: vanilla or chocolate?", the determiner 'which' shows:

Possession

Time

General information

Choice

The question explicitly offers two options (vanilla or chocolate), meaning which is functioning to ask for a specific choice or selection.

Explanation

The question explicitly offers two options (vanilla or chocolate), meaning which is functioning to ask for a specific choice or selection.

7. Which question is asking for possession?

What time should we leave?

Which car is faster?

Whose car is parked in front?

What color is the sign?

Whose is the only interrogative determiner that functions to ask about the owner of the noun that follows it.

Explanation

Whose is the only interrogative determiner that functions to ask about the owner of the noun that follows it.

8. The question, "Whose idea was it to leave early?", the determiner 'whose' asks for:

The name of the idea

The origin of the idea

The time of the idea

The specific selection

Whose asks for possession or origin: it asks for the identity of the person who possesses or originated the idea.

Explanation

Whose asks for possession or origin: it asks for the identity of the person who possesses or originated the idea.

9. The question 'Which is your favorite book?' correctly uses the determiner 'Which.'

True

False

This is true. Even if the book is not listed, the reader assumes the listener is choosing from the limited set of books they have read, so Which is correct for selection.

Explanation

This is true. Even if the book is not listed, the reader assumes the listener is choosing from the limited set of books they have read, so Which is correct for selection.

10. If a question is broad and asks for a fact or concept (e.g., 'What subject is your favorite?'), the function of the determiner is to ask for:

Possession

Choice

General information

Condition

A favorite subject is a matter of general information or identity, which is the function of what.

Explanation

A favorite subject is a matter of general information or identity, which is the function of what.

11. In the question, "What kind of music do you listen to?", the determiner 'what' asks for:

Choice

Possession

General information

Contrast

Since the possibilities for kinds of music are nearly limitless, what is functioning to ask for general, non-specific information or a description.

Explanation

Since the possibilities for kinds of music are nearly limitless, what is functioning to ask for general, non-specific information or a description.

12. When a question uses 'what,' it always means the range of possible answers is small and known.

True

False

This is false. What is used when the range of answers is wide, general, or even limitless.

Explanation

This is false. What is used when the range of answers is wide, general, or even limitless.

13. The function of the interrogative determiner 'whose' is to modify a noun and ask about the item's _______.

The role of whose is possessive; it specifies the noun by asking who has ownership of it.

Explanation

The role of whose is possessive; it specifies the noun by asking who has ownership of it.

Submit

14. Which questions use an interrogative determiner to ask for possession? (Select all that apply)

Whose turn is it next?

What movie did you see?

Whose jacket is on the chair?

Which way should we go?

In A and C, Whose asks who possesses the turn (A) or the jacket (C).

Explanation

In A and C, Whose asks who possesses the turn (A) or the jacket (C).

Submit

15. Which questions use an interrogative determiner to ask for choice or selection? (Select all that apply)

Which flavor of soda do you want?

What is the highest mountain?

Which shoes should I wear with this dress?

Whose phone is ringing loudly?

A and C ask the listener to select from a set of available items (flavors or shoes), which is the function of which.

Explanation

A and C ask the listener to select from a set of available items (flavors or shoes), which is the function of which.

Submit

16. The interrogative determiner 'which' is used when the question asks the listener to make a _______ from a limited group of options.

The core function of which is to narrow down possibilities and ask for a selection from a known or specified set.

Explanation

The core function of which is to narrow down possibilities and ask for a selection from a known or specified set.

Submit

17. The interrogative determiner 'what' is often used when asking for a noun that is a proper noun, such as 'What country are you from?' asking for the country's _______.

The function is to find the specific name or identity (general information) of the country.

Explanation

The function is to find the specific name or identity (general information) of the country.

Submit

18. The function of the determiner 'which' is demonstrated when: (Select all that apply)

A list of options is given.

The answer is a numerical value.

The range of possible answers is limited.

The answer is a specific name or owner.

Which is used for selection, which is signaled by giving a list of options (A) or when the number of options is restricted (C).

Explanation

Which is used for selection, which is signaled by giving a list of options (A) or when the number of options is restricted (C).

Submit

19. If a question uses 'what' to modify a noun, the function is to find out the specific identity or _______ of that noun.

What asks for the identifying facts or description (e.g., What is the name, What is the color).

Explanation

What asks for the identifying facts or description (e.g., What is the name, What is the color).

Submit

20. Which determiners are used in a question to ask for general information (not a limited choice or possession)? (Select all that apply)

Whose

What

Which

When

What is used for questions where the possible answers are limitless or not specified, seeking general information (e.g., What do you think?).

Explanation

What is used for questions where the possible answers are limitless or not specified, seeking general information (e.g., What do you think?).

Modifier Role: Identifying the Function of Interrogative Determiners in a Question Quiz

1. The question 'Whose house is that?' asks for a choice between different houses.

2. If the question asks you to pick one book out of a pile of ten, the correct determiner is most likely:

3. In the question, "Which city did you enjoy more: New York or London?", the determiner 'which' asks for:

4. In the question, "Whose book is this?", the determiner 'whose' asks for:

5. The question 'What color is your shirt?' asks for possession.

6. In the question, "Which flavor of ice cream do you prefer: vanilla or chocolate?", the determiner 'which' shows:

7. Which question is asking for possession?

8. The question, "Whose idea was it to leave early?", the determiner 'whose' asks for:

9. The question 'Which is your favorite book?' correctly uses the determiner 'Which.'

10. If a question is broad and asks for a fact or concept (e.g., 'What subject is your favorite?'), the function of the determiner is to ask for:

11. In the question, "What kind of music do you listen to?", the determiner 'what' asks for:

12. When a question uses 'what,' it always means the range of possible answers is small and known.

13. The function of the interrogative determiner 'whose' is to modify a noun and ask about the item's _______.

14. Which questions use an interrogative determiner to ask for possession? (Select all that apply)

15. Which questions use an interrogative determiner to ask for choice or selection? (Select all that apply)

16. The interrogative determiner 'which' is used when the question asks the listener to make a _______ from a limited group of options.

17. The interrogative determiner 'what' is often used when asking for a noun that is a proper noun, such as 'What country are you from?' asking for the country's _______.

18. The function of the determiner 'which' is demonstrated when: (Select all that apply)

19. If a question uses 'what' to modify a noun, the function is to find out the specific identity or _______ of that noun.

20. Which determiners are used in a question to ask for general information (not a limited choice or possession)? (Select all that apply)