On is it

 First, the question “Is it?” is a question of existence. The form of the question may follow  the lead of other important questioning forms, as in “How is it?”or “When is it?”.

There is a familiarity to it, unless a question of “What is it?” is asked. There is a familiarity to it in time unless a question of “When is it?” Is asked.  Or maybe a “How is it?” if one is surprised by the appearance of it, or simply interested in it.