What do these camera lenses do?

In layman's terms please. My friend is a skilled but amateur photographer and someone suggested these lenses. To avoid embarrassment of asking the suggester, I decided to ask here. The lenses are the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 and the Nikkor 1.8 35mm and Nikkor 55-200mm.

I'm assuming your friend has an APS-C camera (the more common and cheaper ones). Sensor size dictate what type of shots will those lenses can do.

The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is a wide angle zoom lens that is commonly used in shooting vast landscapes. The low f/number means it can be used in relatively lower lighting conditions. The fact that it is a Tokina means it has great glass.

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 is a normal/standard lens that can be used to shoot people, pets and most anything. It has the same angle of view as human eyes when mounted on an APS-C camera. F/1.8 will allow the user to shoot in much lower lighting conditions or blur backgrounds more easily with this lens.

The Nikkor 55-200mm is a telephoto lens that is meant to make distant subjects seem closer. It can be used for portraits, for capturing details and for covering sports. Chances are, your Nikon camera came with a kit zoom lens like an 18-55mm or 18-105mm. The Tokina 11-16mm gives you a much wider view than your kit lens. Also, as an f/2.8 lens, it will give you better results in low light situations.
The 35mm lens is a very fast f/1.8 lens. I have one and it's amazing for low-light and portraits. The f/1.8 maximum aperture allows you to use a lower ISO for sharper photos, and/or a faster shutterspeed to freeze motion.
The 55-200mm extends the reach your kit lens gives you now, and will bring far subjects much closer.

Chances are, your Nikon camera came with a kit zoom lens like an 18-55mm or 18-105mm. The Tokina 11-16mm gives you a much wider view than your kit lens. Also, as an f/2.8 lens, it will give you better results in low light situations.
The 35mm lens is a very fast f/1.8 lens. I have one and it's amazing for low-light and portraits. The f/1.8 maximum aperture allows you to use a lower ISO for sharper photos, and/or a faster shutterspeed to freeze motion.
The 55-200mm extends the reach your kit lens gives you now, and will bring far subjects much closer.