In this lesson, we will focus on closed-ended and open-ended questions in the English language.
A question is an interrogative expression often used to find out or confirmation information. There are a lot of different types of questions in English such as object, subject, duration, tag, negative, indirect, open, closed, etc…
Closed-ended questions are questions which can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” or a specific piece of information. They are best used when you want a short, direct answer to a very specific question.
They are less personal in nature and are best used when the person asking wants a quick answer. One closed question asked right after another can make a conversation or discussion feel more like an interview or interrogation.
Open-ended questions are questions that do not invite a simple “yes’ or “no;” they allow the other person to include more information, including feelings, attitudes and understanding of the subject. This allows the questioner to better access other people’s true feelings on a particular subject or topic.
1. Closed-ended questions
When asking a closed-ended question, the questioner is looking for either a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response or a specific piece of information.
| Closed-ended | A: | Do you send emails at your company every day? |
| Questions | B: | Yes, I do. |
| Closed-ended | A: | Where do you come from? |
| Questions | B: | I come from Sidney, Australia. |
| Closed-ended | A: | What time does the production meeting start? |
| Questions | B: | The production meeting starts at 1 o’clock. |
2. Open-ended questions
When asking an open-ended question, the questioner is looking for more than just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or a specific piece of information.
| Open-ended | A: | What did you think about the IT seminar this morning? |
| Questions | B: | I thought that it was very informative, useful, and well-organized. |
| Open-ended | A: | How do you like to spend your free time? |
| Questions | B: | I enjoy exercising, listening to music, and reading a good book. |
| Open-ended | A: | What did you do today? |
| Questions | B: | I sent some emails and went to a meeting. I also made some travel arrangements for next week. |