[Grammar] Teacher wanted to know where student came from

[newkeenlearner]

Hi.
Are the following correct grammatically, and is the punctuation good?

Teacher wanted to know where/which country student came from, how old they were, what their backgrounds were, and what their purpose were.

Teacher wanted to know: where/which country student came from, how old they were, what their backgrounds were, what their purpose were.

 

[GoesStation]

It needs the before students.

 

[newkeenlearner]

It needs the before students.

Always?

 

[jutfrank]

It needs the before students.

Not necessarily.

 

[GoesStation]

If the teacher had a general interest in the national origin of students, the article isn't necessary. I find that an unlikely scenario; it's much more likely the teacher wanted to know where the students in the class were from.

Next time I see the teacher, I'll be sure to ask.