Citizenship · Question Words and Function Words

Which sentence begins with a question word from the USCIS reading vocabulary?

Correct answer

Where is the White House?

  1. A The flag is red, white, and blue.
  2. B Where is the White House?
  3. C Many states have governors.
  4. D Always vote in elections.

Why this is the answer

QUESTION WORDS are essential vocabulary on the USCIS Reading Test. Recognizing them helps the applicant read questions with proper intonation. Question words on the USCIS list: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, HOW. Sample questions on the reading test: 'WHERE is the White House?' (Question word + linking verb + noun phrase) — Answer: in Washington, D.C. 'WHO was George Washington?' Answer: The first President. 'WHEN do we celebrate Independence Day?' Answer: July 4. 'WHAT is the capital of the United States?' Answer: Washington. 'WHY do people come to America?' Answer: For freedom, for a better life, etc. 'HOW many states are there?' Answer: 50. In English, WH-questions typically use FALLING intonation (going down at the end), unlike yes/no questions which use RISING intonation (going up at the end). For example, 'Where is Washington?' starts higher on 'Where' and falls toward the end. The reading test evaluates whether the applicant reads with intelligibility, not perfect native-speaker pronunciation. Most applicants who study the vocabulary can pass.
Source: USCIS Reading Vocabulary — Question Words Recognition

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About this topic: Question Words and Function Words

Question words and function words — how, what, when, where, who, why, and the small words a, for, here, in, of, on, the, to, we — make up most of every reading-test sentence. Reading them smoothly is what the officer listens for. This is one of 5 Reading Vocabulary questions on question words and function words, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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