Based on the work of Angelo Ciardiello*
Is this for a grade? When is it due? How long does it have to be? Can I go to the bathroom? These are the questions that most kids ask in class and most teachers expect to hear. You can be smarter than your classmates, impress your teachers, and learn a lot, too, if you ask better questions.
Basically, there are four kinds of questions.
Fact Questions
Usually these questions start with the words
Who…
What…
Where…
When…
Some examples of Fact Questions are:
Who is the president of the United States?
What do sea turtles eat?
Where is the Pecos River?
When were most fossils formed in this area?
Why Questions
Usually these questions start with the words
Why…
How…
In what ways…
Some examples of Why Questions are:
How do insects differ from reptiles?
How do plants use the sun?
Why do you need to learn to use a map?
Why should you eat from the food pyramid?
In what ways does do scientists think dinosaurs became extinct?
In what ways are life cycles of the chicken and frog similar?
Idea Questions
Usually these questions start with the words
Imagine…
Suppose…
Predict…
If…, then…
How might…
Can you create…
What are some possible consequences…
Some examples of Idea Questions are:
Imagine that you could travel to another planet. Can you tell about that planet and why you would like to go?
Suppose that you lived in Mexico. Can you tell about which holiday you would enjoy the most?
If (name a European explorer) came back today, what would he think about the changes?
How might people from Alaska adapt to life in a southern state such as Florida?
What are some possible consequences if people do not recycle?
Can you create a new animal that has some of the characteristics of a mammal, a fish, a reptile, an amphibian and a bird? How might it live in our habitat?
Opinion Questions
Usually these questions start with the words
Defend…
Judge…
Justify…
What do you think about…
What is your opinion about…
Some examples of Opinion Questions are:
What do you think about native people destroying the rain forest so they can farm?
How do you feel about the different styles of music we have studied?
What is your opinion about having rules in the cafeteria during lunch? Justify your opinion. (Justify means to tell why you think so.)
If you will learn to ask questions from all four categories, then you will know more about the subjects you are taking in school. Your teachers will know that you care about your school work and are interested in your own learning.
Try it! You may find that asking good questions is actually fun!
*This article is based on: Ciardiello, Angelo. (1998). Did you ask a good question today? “Alternative cognitive and metacognitive strategies.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. 42, 210-219.