"How is the boy?" and "How does the boy feel?"

[learning54]

Hi, teachers
According to the answer, the wh-question is wrong because for that question the answer can't be “He is happy"; right?

What does the boy look like?
He is happy.
“He is happy” tells us about the boy’s emotion or feeling (his internal state), not his physical appearance.

That said, the two possible questions for "He is happy" are:
1. How is the boy?
2. How does the boy feel?

If so, are the following explanations correct?
How is the boy?
(This question is broader. It can ask about the boy’s health, emotions, or general condition at the moment, but not his physical appearance.)
How does the boy feel?
(This question is more specific. It focuses only on the boy’s feelings or emotions at the moment, not in general.)

Thanks.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would expect "How does the boy feel?" to be asked if the boy had been sick or injured.

 

[learning54]

I would expect "How does the boy feel?" to be asked if the boy had been sick or injured.

Then that question applies only if someone has been sick or injured.
What about "How is someone?"; is it used to ask about someone's health, emotions or feelings (his internal state), or is it nonsense?

 

[SoothingDave]

Context always matters. I mean, if someone just broke up with a girlfriend, then "How's he doing?" would be understood to refer to his emotional state.

Without specifying in the question, you can't say one type of question will get an answer about health and a different question will get an answer about feelings/emotions.

 

[learning54]

Context always matters. I mean, if someone just broke up with a girlfriend, then "How's he doing?" would be understood to refer to his emotional state.

I get it. Then these kinds of questions depend on the situation. The question needs to be adapted to the circumstances.

Without specifying in the question, you can't say one type of question will get an answer about health and a different question will get an answer about feelings/emotions.

Understood.