Question

---“Where is it?”

---“Where is _____? I don't know what do you mean?”

1. A.
   what
2. B.
   that
3. C.
   where
4. D.
   so

Answer 1

A
许多同学认为“疑问词”只能出现在句首位置，对于选A认为不可理解。其实在某些特殊语境中，疑问词出现在句中甚至句末却是完全可能的,但这多半是因为有特殊的语境或使用的句式比较特殊。上面一题选what的原因是：上句问Where is it?(它在什么地),但听话人对此句中代词it指代什么东西并不清楚,所以他反问：Where is what?(什么在什么地方?)其实，这类用法在口语中经常使用。如：
　　Who said what to whom?谁对谁说了什么？
　　“Who took it?” “Who took what?”“谁把它拿走了?”“谁把什么拿走了?”
　　It was so dark I couldn't tell who was who.当时一片漆黑，我分不清哪个是哪个。
　　“We are ready. Let's begin.” “Ready for what?”“我们准备好了，开始吧。”“准备干什么?”
　　“What are you going to do next fall?” “Next what?”“下一个秋季你打算要干什么?”“你说下一个什么?”
　　They look exactly the same, and I really don't know which is which.它们看起来一模一样,我实在分不清哪个是哪个。