From Open to Closed: 20 Types of Questions in Teaching

The secret to an engaged classroom with students actively listening and responding is to ask the right questions at the right time. But what questions to ask? There are different types of questions in teaching to involve your students in the learning process.

Let’s discuss 20 of them with examples so you can include them in your subject class next time!

20 Types of Questions in Teaching with Examples

There are several different types of questions in teaching that you can ask depending on the subject you are teaching. Let’s dive into some types with examples:

1. Open Questions

   An open question is a type of question in teaching where the answer needs to be elaborated. It can have multiple answers and the students have to work on their critical thinking and creativity to come up with the correct answer.

   Examples of open questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “How can we solve this equation using different methods?”
   • Science: “Why do you think plants need sunlight to grow?”
   • History: “What might have happened if India hadn’t gained independence in 1947?”
   • English: “How would you describe the main character in this story?”
   • Geography: “What factors do you think affect a region’s climate?”

2. Closed Questions

   A closed question, as opposed to an open question, is a type of question in teaching that can be answered with a simple yes or no. They are used to check factual knowledge, recall, or understanding.

   Examples of closed questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “Is 10 a multiple of 2?”
   • Science: “Is water made up of hydrogen and oxygen?”
   • History: “Was Dr. Rajendra Prasad the first President of India?”
   • English: “Is ‘cat’ a noun?”
   • Geography: “Is Mount Everest the tallest mountain in the world?”

3. Divergent Questions

   Divergent questions encourage the students to explore multiple perspectives by thinking creatively to provide an answer. It is a type of question in teaching that opens students to new possibilities of ideas, views, and scenarios.

   Examples of divergent questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “In how many different ways can you represent the number 12 using addition or multiplication?”
   • Science: “What might happen to the ecosystem if bees became extinct?”
   • History: “How could the world be different if World War II had never occurred?”
   • English: “What are some alternative endings you can imagine for this story?”
   • Geography: “How might people adapt to living in a desert environment?”

4. Convergent Questions

   A convergent question is a type of question in teaching where the answer has to be logically correct. Here, students have to think harder and assess better by blending two or more fields of knowledge to solve a problem, encouraging focus and analytical thinking.

   Examples of convergent questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “What do you think is the value of x if 2x + 4 = 10?”
   • Science: “What will happen to ice if the temperature rises above 0°C?”
   • History: “What was the main cause of the Revolt of 1857?”
   • English: “Based on the text, why did the character decide to leave the town?”
   • Geography: “What happens to the climate of a region located near the equator?”

5. Referential Questions

   In referential type of questions, the teacher is not aware of the answer beforehand. They ask their students such questions to get a reaction from them, begin a conversation, or get to know their opinions. These types of questions in teaching promote interaction and real-life connections.

   Examples of referential questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “How do you use math in your daily life?”
   • Science: “What do you think is the most important discovery in science, and why?”
   • History: “How would you feel if you lived during the freedom struggle?”
   • English: “Can you share a situation where you used persuasive writing?”
   • Geography: “Have you ever visited a hill station? What did you notice about its climate?”

6. Display Questions

   Display questions, on the other hand, as opposed to referential questions, are types of questions in teaching where the teacher is aware of the answer beforehand but asks students to assess whether they can recall what was previously learned. They are commonly used for assessment or practice.

   Examples of display questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “What is the square root of 49?”
   • Science: “What is the chemical formula for water?”
   • History: “Who was the ruler of the Maurya Empire during the Kalinga War?”
   • English: “What is the past tense of the verb ‘run’?”
   • Geography: “Which continent is the Sahara Desert located in?”

7. Probing Questions

   Here, the questions are asked to gain information on a particular topic or subject. Probing questions are types of questions in teaching that are used as follow-up questions so that students can clarify their responses, think deeply, and justify their reasoning. They are used to extend discussions and foster critical thinking.

   Examples of probing questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “Why do you think this method works for solving the equation?”
   • Science: “Can you explain why the experiment gave these results?”
   • History: “What were the key factors that led to the fall of the Mughal Empire, and how are they interconnected?”
   • English: “Why do you think the author used this metaphor in the poem?”
   • Geography: “What might be the long-term effects of deforestation on the local climate?”

8. Leading Questions

   Leading questions, as the name suggests, help in leading or guiding students toward an answer in a particular manner or way. This type of question in teaching is used when a student is not able to get the favourable or desired answer on their own, so you have to lead the way.

   Examples of leading questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “If we know 5 + 5 equals 10, isn’t it logical that 10 – 5 equals 5?”
   • Science: “Don’t you think plants grow better with sunlight because they use it to make food?”
   • History: “Wasn’t the Industrial Revolution a turning point because it introduced machines and increased production?”
   • English: “Don’t you think the main character acted selfishly when they left their family behind?”
   • Geography: “Wouldn’t you agree that areas near the equator have warmer climates because they receive more direct sunlight?”

9. Loaded Questions

   A loaded question is often asked based on an assumption. These questions are asked unconsciously by the teachers, putting students in a position where whatever they answer, supports the assumption made.

   Examples of loaded questions to ask students about their learning:

   • Math: “Why do you always find fractions difficult to solve?”
   • Science: “Why is it wrong to believe that climate change isn’t real?”
   • History: “Don’t you think colonial rulers were entirely exploitative?”
   • English: “Why didn’t you understand the theme of the story?”
   • Geography: “Isn’t it obvious that deserts are useless because they can’t support much life?”

10. Focal Questions

    In this type of question in teaching, the student is supposed to justify the central idea of the discussion happening. With focal questions, deeper exploration of a topic is encouraged and serves as the foundation for further inquiry.

    Examples of focal questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “How can we use algebra to solve real-world problems?”
    • Science: “What is the relationship between energy and matter in the universe?”
    • History: “How did the French Revolution impact the development of modern democracy?”
    • English: “What role does character development play in shaping the plot of a novel?”
    • Geography: “How do human activities influence the environment and climate?”

11. Binary Questions

    Binary questions usually have two scenarios grouped as possible answers. One is where the students have to answer in ‘yes or no’ and the other category is where they either agree or disagree with the question. These types of questions in teaching are more effective when the answers help teachers know whether the students have understood what they have learned.

    Examples of binary questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “Is 12 an even number?”
    • Science: “Is water a compound?”
    • History: “Did World War I end in 1918?”
    • English: “Is ‘run’ a verb in this sentence?”
    • Geography: “Is Africa a continent?”

12. Multiple Choice Questions

    A multiple-choice question provides several answer options, from which the student must choose the correct one. Only one option is correct between all the choices. These questions assess a student’s knowledge across various possibilities.

    Examples of multiple choice questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “What is the value of 5 × 6? a) 25 b) 30 c) 35 d) 40”
    • Science: “Which of the following is a gas at room temperature? a) Water b) Oxygen c) Iron d) Mercury”
    • History: “Who was the first emperor of China? a) Qin Shi Huang b) Emperor Wu c) Liu Bang d) Emperor Taizong”
    • English: “Which of the following is a synonym for ‘angry’? a) Happy b) Excited c) Furious d) Euphoric”
    • Geography: “Which continent is Australia part of? a) Asia b) Europe c) Oceania d) Africa”

13. Hypothetical Questions

    Hypothetical questions are types of questions in teaching where the students have to think about how they will act or feel when placed in a certain scenario. These questions highlight a child’s creative thinking ability, evaluation skills, and problem-solving skills.

    Examples of hypothetical questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “If you had to design a new type of triangle, what properties would it have?”
    • Science: “What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating for a day?”
    • History: “If ancient Rome had never fallen, how do you think the world would be different today?”
    • English: “If the protagonist had made a different decision, how would the story have changed?”
    • Geography: “If you were stranded on a deserted island, which geographical features would be most important for survival?”

14. Fermi Questions

    Named after the physicist Enrico Fermi, the Fermi questions are types of questions in teaching that allow students to give an estimated answer based on a limited set of information. The goal for the teachers is not to calculate whether the child is well-versed in the subject. Instead, the student’s reasoning skills are put to the test.

    Examples of Fermi questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “How many piano tuners do you think there are in New York City?”
    • Science: “How many grains of sand do you think are on a beach?”
    • History: “How many people lived in ancient Egypt during the time of the pyramids?”
    • English: “How many words do you think are in an average novel?”
    • Geography: “How many gallons of water do you think is there in the Great Lakes?”

15. Thunk Questions

    A thunk question is a thought-provoking question that challenges students to reflect deeply on a concept or issue. It is designed to spark curiosity, stimulate critical thinking, and encourage discussions by presenting unusual or paradoxical scenarios. The answers to thunk types of questions in teaching are never correct.

    Examples of thunk questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “If you could split a pie into infinite pieces, would it still be considered a pie?”
    • Science: “If we discovered life on another planet, would it still be considered life if it didn’t follow the same biological rules as life on Earth?”
    • History: “If you could live in any historical period, but had to be a common person, would you still want to live there?”
    • English: “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?”
    • Geography: “If the world’s oceans were drained, what do you think would be the biggest surprise to us?”

16. Application Questions

    Application questions are types of questions in teaching where students have to think about how they can apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Learning can become one-dimensional if the students are not able to draw real-world relevance. Hence, with application questions, they can think about the relevance of the theory knowledge in the real world.

    Examples of application questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “How would you use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the height of a tree if you know its shadow length and the distance from the top of the tree to the tip of the shadow?”
    • Science: “How could you apply the principles of thermodynamics to improve the efficiency of a refrigerator?”
    • History: “Based on what we’ve learned about the Industrial Revolution, how might the development of new technologies impact the economy today?”
    • English: “How can the writing techniques we studied in this novel be used to improve your own writing?”
    • Geography: “Given the current climate data, how would you plan a sustainable city in a coastal region?”

17. Affective Questions

    With affective questions, students can reflect on their emotions values, attitudes, and feelings. These types of questions in teaching encourage empathy, raise self-reflection, and develop personal connections in students to explore how they feel or think about a particular topic.

    Examples of affective questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “How do you feel when you successfully solve a challenging problem?”
    • Science: “How would you feel if you discovered a new species of animal in your backyard?”
    • History: “How do you think the people living during the Civil Rights Movement felt about the changes happening in their society?”
    • English: “How does reading about the struggles of the main character in the novel make you feel?”
    • Geography: “How would you feel if you had to live in a place with extreme weather conditions, like the Sahara Desert or the Arctic?”

18. Ethical Questions

    Ethical questions make students think about what is morally right or wrong. These types of questions in teaching challenge them to think about their values and moral dilemmas, encouraging discussions about personal responsibility, societal issues, and ethical decision-making.

    Examples of ethical questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “If you found the answer to a math test in a textbook during the exam, would it be ethical to use it?”
    • Science: “Is it ethical to use animals for medical testing if it could potentially save human lives?”
    • History: “Was it ethical for countries to colonize other lands for their own benefit, even if they brought technological advancements?”
    • English: “Is it ethical to censor certain books from school libraries to protect students from controversial topics?”
    • Geography: “Should countries with abundant natural resources share them with nations facing shortages, or should they keep them for their own citizens?”

19. Clarifying Questions

    A clarifying question is asked to ensure understanding or to seek additional information when something is unclear. These types of questions in teaching help students refine their thoughts or ensure that the teacher grasps the student’s point accurately.

    Examples of clarifying questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “Can you explain how you arrived at that answer for the problem?”
    • Science: “What do you mean by ‘energy conservation’ in this context?”
    • History: “When you say the Industrial Revolution caused social changes, could you provide a specific example?”
    • English: “Could you clarify what the author meant by the phrase ‘the winds of change’?”
    • Geography: “When you mention the climate in the Amazon, are you referring to the tropical rainforest climate or a broader region?”

20. Evaluative Questions

    An evaluative question is a type of question in teaching that pushes students to judge, assess, or make decisions based on evidence or criteria provided. These questions require students to use critical thinking to form an opinion or justify their stance on an issue, concept, or idea.

    Examples of evaluative questions to ask students about their learning:

    • Math: “Which method do you think is more efficient for solving quadratic equations, and why?”
    • Science: “Based on the data from the experiment, do you think the hypothesis was correct? Why or why not?”
    • History: “Do you think the actions of the American Revolutionaries were justified? Why or why not?”
    • English: “Which character in the novel do you think is the most heroic, and what makes them stand out?”
    • Geography: “Do you think it’s better to invest in renewable energy or fossil fuels for the future of the planet? Why?”

Conclusion

Having an active classroom of students who are ready to ask questions and even actively answer the questions asked is tough. But with this list of types of questions in teaching, you can ensure your students are engaged throughout the lesson. Make sure to prepare beforehand. Go in with a mix of these questions so you can see your desired outcomes and achieve your teaching objectives.

Last Updated on February 10, 2025