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  1. "Quel" is used for an open question (free answer) and "est-ce que" for a closed question (yes or no).
  2. "Est-ce que" is used to introduce a question.
  3. "Quel" agrees with the noun: "quel", "quelle", "quels", "quelles".
  4. When forming a question, the subject and the verb are inverted.
Forme (Form)Exemple (Example)
Est-ce que + sujet + verbeEst-ce que tu as un cadeau? (Do you have a present?)
Quel (masculin singulier) + nomQuel âge as-tu? (How old are you?)
Quelle (féminin singulier) + nomQuelle année? (Which year?)
Quels (masculin pluriel) + nomQuels cadeaux préfères-tu? (Which presents do you prefer?)
Quelles (féminin pluriel) + nomQuelles fêtes célébrez-vous? (Which holidays do you celebrate?)
Verbe + sujetÊtes-vous contents (Are you happy)? 

Exceptions!

  1. "Quel" is not limited to questions, whereas the expression "est-ce que" is used only in questions.
  2. In the inversion of the subject and the verb, when the verb begins with a vowel or a silent h, a "t" is added to facilitate pronunciation: Quel âge as-t-il?

Exercise 1: Les mots interrogatifs: "Est-ce que" et "Quel"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Quel, Est-ce que, Quelle, Quelles, Quels

1.
... est ton nom ?
(What is your name?)
2.
... tu es espagnol ?
(Are you Spanish?)
3.
... âge as-tu ?
(How old are you?)
4.
... cadeaux as-tu eu ?
(What presents did you get?)
5.
... grand-mère prépare le gâteau d'anniversaire ?
(Which grandmother is preparing the birthday cake?)
6.
... cousines sont à ton anniversaire ?
(Which cousins are at your birthday party?)
7.
... année es-tu né ?
(What year were you born?)
8.
... tu vis en Espagne ?
(Do you live in Spain?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ________ tu as un gâteau pour l'anniversaire ?

(Do you have a cake for the birthday?)

2. ________ âge as-tu aujourd’hui ?

(How old are you today?)

3. ________ tu prépares une fête pour ton anniversaire ?

(Are you preparing a party for your birthday?)

4. ________ année est-ce que tu fêtes aujourd’hui ?

(What year are you celebrating today?)

5. ________ cadeaux préfères-tu recevoir pour ton anniversaire ?

(Which presents do you prefer to receive for your birthday?)

6. ________ fêtes célèbres-tu avec tes amis ?

(Which holidays do you celebrate with your friends?)