Types of Questions
1. Memory
A memory question asks you to remember an isolated fact:
2. Convergent
Convergent questions require an explanation, but have a right answer:
3. Evaluative
Evaluative questions form an opinion plus supporting evidence.
4. Divergent
Divergent questions ask you to consider the effects of an alternate situation. There may not be a right answer at all.
1. Memory
A memory question asks you to remember an isolated fact:
- Who is the protagonist in this story?
- What year was the Declaration of Independence signed?
- How many hydrogen atoms are in a water molecule?
- Answers can be one word or short phrases.
2. Convergent
Convergent questions require an explanation, but have a right answer:
- Why did the protagonist say this?
- How would you get from New York to Boston?
- Why is carbon heavier than hydrogen?
- Note that convergent questions might ask “why,” but we expect one certain answer.
3. Evaluative
Evaluative questions form an opinion plus supporting evidence.
- Who was a better American president, John Adams or Thomas Jefferson?
- Which character handled their problem better, Charlie Bucket or Matilda?
- In evaluative questions, the explanation is more important than the initial answer.
4. Divergent
Divergent questions ask you to consider the effects of an alternate situation. There may not be a right answer at all.
- What if Earth had half of its oceans? How would that affect our atmosphere?
- What if we banned cars? How would our cities change?
- What if Ron Weasley wasn’t in Harry Potter? How would that affect the stories?
- Note that divergent questions require huge answers in comparison to earlier questions. They also demand a pretty deep understanding of the topic.