Types of questions. Closed and open-ended questions. Examples

It would seem that it could be easier than asking a question? However, there are many rules and varieties of questions in both English and Russian. In addition, their use in conversation always depends on the speech situation. And as we have to be sure, the situation in both English and Russian conversation is very similar. We will discuss the types of questions in more detail in this article.

What are the questions in Russian?

In this paper we will consider 5 types of questions. There are a number of other classifications, the number of issues in which can vary, but today we will dwell on this.

So, according to our classification, there are five kinds of questions: closed, open, critical, rhetorical, questions for deliberation. Note that open and closed questions are highlighted in almost all types of classifications. This fact makes them basic.

Now consider each species in more detail, and also give examples.

Open question

Open-ended questions are such questions that require a detailed answer and any explanations. On them it is impossible to answer either "yes" or "no". Such questions begin with the following interrogative words: "how", "who", "what", "why", "how much", "what", etc.

Such questions allow your interlocutor to choose the information to answer at your discretion. On the one hand, this can lead to the fact that the interlocutor will hide what he does not want to disclose. But on the other hand, if you ask a question in a suitable emotional situation, the interlocutor can reveal himself and tell a lot more than the question asked by you.

Open questions allow you to turn your monologue into a conversation. However, there is a danger that you will lose control over the conversation, and it will be difficult to regain control once again.

Let's give examples of such questions:

• Why do you want to study at our university?
• When did you decide to agree to this conversation?
• How much do you earn per month?
• Who is cleaning in your house?
• What do you usually do in the evenings?

Closed Question

Questions of the closed type - such, at the answer to which you can answer either "yes" or "no". Often in closed questions a particle "li" is used. They limit the freedom of the interlocutor as much as possible, leading him to a monosyllabic answer.

Asking such questions, you can keep the conversation under your control. However, the interlocutor can not express his opinion or share ideas.

In addition, closed questions have a number of negative features:

• The information obtained in answering them will be superficial;
• The two options give the impression of coercion, so the interlocutor will gradually feel more and more uncomfortable, which ultimately hi to the fact that he will want to end the conversation as soon as possible;
• They lead to the unwillingness of the interlocutor to reveal and provide more information.

Closed questions are recommended to use in cases where it is necessary to collect a lot of information in a short time. For example, when carrying out various studies. If you are planning to get to know the other person and expect that your acquaintance will continue, closed questions should be alternated with the open ones, allowing the partner to speak out.

Examples:

• Do you like running around?
• Would you like to learn how to swim?
• Do you play musical instruments?

A rhetorical question

We continue to consider types of questions. In turn, there is a rhetorical question, which serves for a deep and detailed consideration of the subject of the conversation. It is impossible to give an unambiguous and unbiased answer to such questions. Their goal is to point out unsolved problems and raise new questions or to provoke the support of your opinion by the participants in the discussion through tacit consent. When composing such questions, the particle "li" is often used.

Examples:

• We are all of the same opinion on this issue?
• Can we take normally such actions?

The turning point

Another basic type of question is the turning point. These are issues that help to keep the discussion in a certain direction. They can also serve to raise new problems. They are set in those situations when you have received exhaustive information on the problem in question and would like to switch the attention of the audience to another or when the opponent's resistance has arisen and you want to overcome it.

Responses of the interlocutor to such questions allow to find out the vulnerable moments in his judgments.

Examples:

• Tell me, do you think, is it necessary? ..
• How do you really go? ..
• How do you imagine? ..
• What do you see in perspective? ..

Question for consideration

These kinds of questions help the interlocutor to reflect and carefully think over what was said earlier and prepare comments. In such a speech situation, the interlocutor gets the opportunity to make his own changes to the position already stated by someone. This allows you to look at the problem from several sides.

Examples of such questions:

• Do you think that ...?
• Have we correctly understood your judgment about what? ..
• Do you agree with that? ..

Thus, we examined the meaning and examples of types of questions used in the Russian language.

How many kinds of questions in English?

There are also several types of questions in English. All of them, like in Russian, are five. The use of questions will depend on the situation, the context and the purpose with which you set them. So, let's look at the types of questions in English with examples.

Common question

Common questions are identical closed in Russian, that is, they assume a monosyllabic answer: "yes" or "no". They serve only general information.

Such questions are compiled without question words, but begin with auxiliary verbs. And as you remember, in English for each time there are certain auxiliary verbs.

The order of words when composing a question: auxiliary verb - subject - semantic verb - complement - definition.

Examples:

• Is he a good driver?
• Did he go to the disco today?
• Do you play basketball every day?

Separated question

We continue to consider types of questions in English with examples. Separative this type is called because it consists of two parts, which are separated by a comma:

• The first part is a statement;
• The second part is the "spine", the question is about this statement.

"Spine" is usually the opposite. That is, the purpose of the issue is to verify the authenticity of the statement.

Examples:

• You play basketball every day, do not you?
• Steven is a famous artist, is not he?

Special question

Types of questions can also serve for more information. For example, a special question. It necessarily begins with question words. Usually the following are used: when, why, where, which, how , etc. These words do not refer to what and who , when they act as subjects.

Thus, the question has the following structure: interrogative word - auxiliary verb - subject - semantic verb - complement.

Examples:

• What is your name?
• When did you go to England last time?

Questions with or ("or")

Such questions suggest a choice between two different answers. The word order here is the same as in the general question, but it is necessary to offer an alternative possibility.

Examples:

• Do you like tea or coffee?
• Will you go to Moscow by plane or by train?
• Does your father or your mother help you with your homework?

Question with who ( what )

This kind is used when it is necessary to ask a question to the subject in the sentence. It will start with the words what or who . The main feature of this type of questions is that the word order when it is composed remains the same as in the statement. That is, the order of words will be: who / what - the semantic verb is an addition.

Let's give some examples:

• Who is this man?
• What was that?

So, we considered possible types of questions in both Russian and English. As can be seen, in both languages, despite the huge difference in origin and grammar between them, the questions perform approximately the same functions. This tells us that the conversation in any language is conducted for specific purposes. Moreover, mechanisms for controlling the course of reasoning, governed by questions, also appear to be similar.