What's In A Question?
It is important to learn to read a question properly and accurately. Very often, mistakes are made not because the sources are misunderstood. Rather, it is often due to a poor understanding of what is demanded of the question. The right answer cannot be provided when the question is understood wrongly.
To answer a question well, you need to know what goes into a question and understand what it is ‘asking’ you to do. Knowing exactly what is demanded of the question helps you to keep your answer focused and straight to the point.
It is important to learn to read a question properly and accurately. Very often, mistakes are made not because the sources are misunderstood. Rather, it is often due to a poor understanding of what is demanded of the question. The right answer cannot be provided when the question is understood wrongly.
To answer a question well, you need to know what goes into a question and understand what it is ‘asking’ you to do. Knowing exactly what is demanded of the question helps you to keep your answer focused and straight to the point.
Basically there are a few things you should take note of when reading a question:
When we can understand the different parts of a question, we would be able to figure out what the examiner wants us to 'do'. There would lie the 'instructions' or hints that the examiner give to students so that the question can be answered properly. When you know what the examiner wants you to do, you would be able to select the appropriate approach to answer the question. Follow the tasks below to learn how to identify the different parts of a question:
- What are the different ‘parts’ of a question?
- What are the ‘instructions’ embedded in the question?
- What approach should I take to answer the question?
When we can understand the different parts of a question, we would be able to figure out what the examiner wants us to 'do'. There would lie the 'instructions' or hints that the examiner give to students so that the question can be answered properly. When you know what the examiner wants you to do, you would be able to select the appropriate approach to answer the question. Follow the tasks below to learn how to identify the different parts of a question:
Enter the name for this tabbed section: TASK 1
Task 1: Identify the Question Type
This will help you to decide the kind(s) of skills you will need to answer the question. Different question type requires different approach and answering technique. Certainly, an Inference question cannot be answered in the same way as a Comparison question nor a Reliability question.
Each type of question is worded differently from the other. A straight forward way to phrase a question would include the 'question-type' words in it. For example, an Inference question would have the word ‘infer’ in the question. A Comparison question would have the word ‘similarity’ or ‘difference’ in it. A Reliability question would have the word ‘reliable’ in the question, so on and so forth.
However, there are times when the questions are not worded so clearly. I’ll use some examples to illustrate what I’m trying to say here.
This will help you to decide the kind(s) of skills you will need to answer the question. Different question type requires different approach and answering technique. Certainly, an Inference question cannot be answered in the same way as a Comparison question nor a Reliability question.
Each type of question is worded differently from the other. A straight forward way to phrase a question would include the 'question-type' words in it. For example, an Inference question would have the word ‘infer’ in the question. A Comparison question would have the word ‘similarity’ or ‘difference’ in it. A Reliability question would have the word ‘reliable’ in the question, so on and so forth.
However, there are times when the questions are not worded so clearly. I’ll use some examples to illustrate what I’m trying to say here.
- default_titleExample 1.1
- default_titleQn 1: What does Source A tell you about the the living conditions of the people in Singapore? Explain your answer.
Qn 2: What can you tell from Source A about the living conditions of the people in Singapore. Explain your answer.
Comments: Even though the questions do not show the question type explicitly, they are basically Inference question type. You can tell it’s an inference question, as it wants you to read the source and draw some conclusions regarding the living conditions of the people in Singapore. - Show More
- default_titleExample 1.2
- default_titleQn 1: Can you trust what the source says about the effectiveness of the Baby Bonus Scheme? Explain your answer.
Qn 2: Do you believe what the source says about the effectiveness of the Baby Bonus Scheme? Explain your answer.
Comments: This is a Reliability question. You can tell that it’s asking about the reliability of the source as it asks you whether you can trust the source in what it says. Again, you do not see the word ‘reliable’ in the source but yet it’s actually asking about the reliability of the source. - Show More
Now, try Review 1.1 and identify the word that suggests the question type.
Review 1.1
Instruction: Try locating the word(s) that suggests the question type.
Qn: What can you infer from Source A about the healthcare standard of public hospitals in Singapore?
Ans:
(A) healthcare standard
(B) infer
(C) public hospitals
(D) Singapore
Instruction: Try locating the word(s) that suggests the question type.
Qn: What can you infer from Source A about the healthcare standard of public hospitals in Singapore?
Ans:
(A) healthcare standard
(B) infer
(C) public hospitals
(D) Singapore
Enter the name for this tabbed section: TASK 2
Task 2: Identify the Context of a Question
This can be done by locating the ‘contextual’ word(s) in the question. Contextual words are words that tell you about 'the when' and 'the where'. Look out for the 'time' and 'location' or 'situation' under which the source was produced. This will help you to find out what context/background the question is based on exactly. Knowing the context is important as it helps you to ‘frame’ your answer so that you will only write within the relevant boundaries set by the question. Writing beyond the context results in irrelevant answers and is a waste of precious time during an examination. You also run the risk of writing off-the-mark (out of point).
Furthermore, knowing the context helps you to pinpoint the kind of content the question is asking for. Bearing in mind the contextual word(s) will help you to make more sense of the sources and focus your mind in locating the relevant content from the source(s). In the event that you need to use your contextual knowledge, you will also know what kind of information you need and how much of it you need.
Now, try Review 2.1 and identify the ‘contextual’ word(s).
This can be done by locating the ‘contextual’ word(s) in the question. Contextual words are words that tell you about 'the when' and 'the where'. Look out for the 'time' and 'location' or 'situation' under which the source was produced. This will help you to find out what context/background the question is based on exactly. Knowing the context is important as it helps you to ‘frame’ your answer so that you will only write within the relevant boundaries set by the question. Writing beyond the context results in irrelevant answers and is a waste of precious time during an examination. You also run the risk of writing off-the-mark (out of point).
Furthermore, knowing the context helps you to pinpoint the kind of content the question is asking for. Bearing in mind the contextual word(s) will help you to make more sense of the sources and focus your mind in locating the relevant content from the source(s). In the event that you need to use your contextual knowledge, you will also know what kind of information you need and how much of it you need.
Now, try Review 2.1 and identify the ‘contextual’ word(s).
Review 2.1
Instruction: Try locating the word(s) that suggests the context of the question.
Qn: What can you infer from Source A about the healthcare standard of public hospitals in Singapore?
i. healthcare standard
ii. public hospitals
iii. Singapore
Ans:
(A) i
(B) iii
(C) i & ii
(D) ii & iii
Instruction: Try locating the word(s) that suggests the context of the question.
Qn: What can you infer from Source A about the healthcare standard of public hospitals in Singapore?
i. healthcare standard
ii. public hospitals
iii. Singapore
Ans:
(A) i
(B) iii
(C) i & ii
(D) ii & iii
Enter the name for this tabbed section: TASK 3
Task 3: Identify the key word(s) of the question.
The key word is important as it determines the focus of the question. It is also the 'issue' the examiner wants you to address. You have to address the key word of the question in order to answer the question properly. If the key word(s) is not addressed in your answer, you have not really answered the question at all. This is a very serious error to make. You should also try to answer 'in terms' of the key word. This is to ensure that the issue is always addressed in your answer. You will have a better idea what I am talking about when we look at a specific question.
Now, try Review 3.1 and identify the 'key' word.
The key word is important as it determines the focus of the question. It is also the 'issue' the examiner wants you to address. You have to address the key word of the question in order to answer the question properly. If the key word(s) is not addressed in your answer, you have not really answered the question at all. This is a very serious error to make. You should also try to answer 'in terms' of the key word. This is to ensure that the issue is always addressed in your answer. You will have a better idea what I am talking about when we look at a specific question.
Now, try Review 3.1 and identify the 'key' word.
Review 3.1
Instruction: Try locating the key word(s) of the question.
Qn: What can you infer from Source A about the healthcare standard of public hospitals in Singapore?
i. healthcare standard
ii. public hospitals
iii. Singapore
Ans:
(A) i
(B) ii
(C) i & ii
(D) ii & iii
Instruction: Try locating the key word(s) of the question.
Qn: What can you infer from Source A about the healthcare standard of public hospitals in Singapore?
i. healthcare standard
ii. public hospitals
iii. Singapore
Ans:
(A) i
(B) ii
(C) i & ii
(D) ii & iii
* Caution: Hovering the pointer above the Answer box will reveal the answer. Do not do so unless you have an answer in mind already.
(B) infer
(Inference Qn Type)
Review 1.1 Answer
(A) i
(healthcare standard)
Review 3.1 Answer
(D) ii & iii
(Public hospital; Singapore)
Review 2.1 Answer
