How is …? or What is … like?

We use How is …? to ask about someone’s general health or about the condition or state of something, or how people experience something:

A:

How’s your mother these days? (How is her general health?)

B:

Oh, she’s fine, thanks.

[talking about an old house]

A:

How are the walls in the kitchen? (What is the condition/state of the walls?)

B:

Well, they need redecorating really.

A:

How’s your new car?

B:

Wonderful. It’s so much easier to drive than the old one.

We use What is … like? to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour):

A:

What’s her new house like?

B:

It’s a modern one, quite big, with a nice garden.

A:

What’s your new teacher like?

B:

He’s nice. He’s very good-looking! But he’s quite strict.