Which statement about asking good questions is correct?

• A. Assess prior knowledge and promote higher-order thinking
• B. Avoid assessing prior knowledge
• C. They should be yes/no questions only
• D. They should be asked only by the teacher at the end of the lesson

Answer: (A)

Good questions in teaching start by tapping into what students already know and building on it. Assessing prior knowledge helps you connect new ideas to existing understanding, set the right entry point, and make learning more meaningful. At the same time, effective questions push students toward higher-order thinking—analyzing, evaluating, and creating—so they engage more deeply with the material and develop transferable skills.

Choosing questions that avoid prior knowledge misses where learning should begin, making new content feel disconnected. Limiting questions to yes/no formats restricts thinking and prevents students from explaining their reasoning. Relying on questioning only at the end of the lesson reduces ongoing feedback, checks for understanding, and opportunities for students to refine their thoughts as they learn.