If you answer a question, you can use “what about..." or "how about..." to direct the same question back at the person who first asked it to you. Ex. A: How are you? B: I'm good thanks. What about you? A: I'm also good. A: What are you doing? B: I'm watching TV. What about you? A: I'm making dinner. A: Where are you from? B: I'm from Australia. What about you? A: I'm from Italy. A: How's the weather over there? B: It's hot and sunny. What about there? A: It's cold and windy. A: I study engineering. What about him? B: I think he studies physics.

Example: "I've been going for walks and reading a lot. What about you?" Asking a person that question allows him/her a chance to tell you about what they have been doing recently and events happening in their life.