3 Levels of Questioning Method

Introduction

Using the "Three Levels of Questioning" method helps readers with their comprehension & critical thinking skills by asking us to look deeper into the meaning of information.

Activity

1. Read the “Nine Pins” text provided below.

2. Answer the 4 questions provided in the text.

3. Look-over your answers to the 4 questions.

   • Write a “1” next to question(s) where the answer was stated clearly in the text, where you basically copied the text word-for-word in your answer.

   • Write a “2” next to question(s) where the answer was implied in the text, where you "read between the lines" to find the answer.

   • Write a “3” next to question(s) that ask you to relate the text to information outside of the text, where you take your knowledge of the text and of other information to answer the question.

What you have just classified are different "levels" of questions. Continue further with this section to find-out what each of those numbers represent.

3 Levels of Questioning Steps

Review the steps for each of the different levels of questions below.

Level One:

Level One questions lead to answers that are literally found in the text.  Basically, you could copy the words of the text as the answer to Level One questions. 

Questions 1 and 2 in the opening Activity above are examples of Level One questions since their answers were written explicitly in the text: "bowling" and "wood."

Here is how you find and formulate Level One questions:

1. Read the text.

2. Locate a fact that is a “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” or “how”

3. Turn the fact into a question

4. Check the answer to make sure it is found in one place, word-for-word, in the reading.

Level Two:

The answers to Level Two questions are inferred in the text's information.  Basically, the author is giving the answer to the question without overtly stating it.  This is where you "read between the lines."

Question 3 in the opening Activity above is an example of a Level Two question since its answer is implied in the text, yet doesn't state it directly: "to go around," "to avoid," etc.

Here is how you find and formulate Level Two questions:

1. Read the text.

2. Locate related facts from at least two different places in the text.

3. Combine the facts to make a question. Use stems to make a question:

   • Why__________

   • Describe________

   • How_________

4. Check the answer to make sure that the answer can be implied from the text. 

Level Three:

The answers to Level Three questions are formulated by relating the text to knowledge that is located outside of the information of the text.  This could be your prior knowledge, your experiences, information you need to research, etc.

Question 4 in the opening Activity above is an example of a Level Three question since it is asking you to relate what you have learned from the text about Nine Pins to your own life's experiences.

Here is how you find and formulate Level Three questions:

1. Read the text.

2. Relate something in the passage to something you have read, studied, or experienced.

3. Use stems to make a question:

   • How is _________ like (similar to) ________?

   • How is _________ different from _________?

   • How is _________ related to_______?

4. Check the answer. Questions should require you to think about what you have just read with what you already know and how it all fits together.

The video below provides a brief, yet complete explanation of the different levels as well as their usefulness to studying and life skills:

The following video goes more in-depth into the method by providing a lesson that gives background information as well as how to utilize its strategies:

Uses for 3 Levels of Questioning

Think about what types of texts 3 Levels of Questioning would be a useful strategy for.  Could it be used when gathering information from non-traditional texts as well?

This method is also useful for creating study guides when your instructor has not provided one.  

• Are you taking a multiple choice, true/false, matching, or fill-in-the-blank test?  Create Level 1 and Level 2 questions out-of your study materials (texts, notes, etc.).  For these types of tests, you need to know facts of the topics (Level 1) and possible interpretations (Level 2).  Create questions that represent the format of the exam.  Then, see if you can answer those questions.

• Are you taking a short-answer or essay exam?  Create Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 questions.  For these types of exams, you need to know facts of the topics (Level 1), interpretations (Level 2), and overall connections (Level 3).  Create prompts that represent different exam formats.  Then, practice answering them fully or at least creating outlines for them.

How will you use this method?

Key Takeaways

• 3 Levels of Questioning places "levels" on different answers created from questions based-on a text.

• The higher the "level," the deeper the reader has to understand and think about a text.

• 3 Levels of Questioning can be used in other learning situations where the learner needs to understand material deeply or independently study.