Types of questions:

Types of Questions

Questions can be categorized based on their purpose and structure. Here are some common types:

Based on Purpose:

  • Closed-ended questions: These questions have a limited number of possible answers, often yes or no.
    • Example: “Do you like apples?”
  • Open-ended questions: These questions allow for a variety of responses and encourage detailed answers.
    • Example: “What is your favorite fruit?”
  • Wh- questions: These questions begin with “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” or “how” and seek specific information.
    • Example: “Who is your favorite author?”
  • Yes/no questions: These questions can be answered with “yes” or “no.”
    • Example: “Are you hungry?”
  • Alternative questions: These questions offer a choice between two or more options.
    • Example: “Would you like coffee or tea?”

Based on Structure:

  • Simple questions: These questions contain a single clause.
    • Example: “Do you like to read?”
  • Compound questions: These questions contain two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so).
    • Example: “Do you like to read or watch movies?”
  • Complex questions: These questions contain an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses joined by a subordinating conjunction (because, if, when, while, etc.).
    • Example: “Because you like to read, do you have a favorite book?”

Understanding these different types of questions can help you communicate more effectively and ask better questions.

See also  Skimming and scanning

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