Interrogatives

Source: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/ve-assessments/interrogatives/ Parent: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/assessments/ve-assessments/

Interrogatives are frequently used in assessment questions. They are also known as question words and 'wh' words. Understanding what each type of question requires will help you answer assessment questions more effectively.

Who, what, when, where, why, which and how

There are many ways to answer interrogative questions — let's focus on two of them:

• Simple answer: identify the answer (the person or people / the time or date / the place).
• Answer with context/detail: identify and add context.

To decide which option to choose, consider the context of the question and make a judgement about how much detail is needed. If you have any doubts, it's a good idea to talk to your teacher about their expectations.

Let's explore how this works with the different wh- words:

Who questions

• Simple: name the person or people involved
• Add more detail: you can also mention their role or why they are important

Example question

Question: Who needs supervision on a residential building site?\

Simple: Employees of builders, builder's contractors, employees of contractors, and anyone visiting the building site need supervision.

With context/detail: Under the OHS Act, employees of builders, builder's contractors, employees of contractors, and anyone visiting the building site require supervision to ensure safety compliance.

What questions

• Simple: identify the object, event, or situation
• Add more detail: describe the purpose or significance of it

Example question

Question: What is the function of a piston in a car engine?\

Simple: Pistons convert fuel into mechanical energy.

With context/detail: The piston converts fuel combustion into mechanical energy. It moves up and down in the cylinder, changing straight movement into a spinning movement that powers the car.

When questions

• Simple: give specific times or dates
• Add more detail: you can add why these times or dates are important

Example question

Question: When was the the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) introduced?\

Simple: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was introduced in 1999.

With context/detail: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which established a legal framework for conservation management, was introduced in 1999.

Where questions

• Simple: tell the place or location
• Add more detail: you can say what happens there or why it's important

Example question

Question: Where can you find the nutritional information label on packaged food?\

Simple: On the back or the side of the package.

With context/detail: The nutritional information label on packaged food is typically located on the back or side of the packaging. This label provides essential details about the product, including serving size, calorie count, and nutrient content.

Why questions

• Simple: explain the reasons or purposes
• Add more detail: include why it's important

Example question

Question: Why is trust important when working with clients?\

Simple: Trust is important because it makes clients feel comfortable and confident that you'll do a professional job.

With context/detail: Trust helps clients feel comfortable and sure that their needs will be met, creating a positive working relationship. When clients trust you, they share their needs more openly which leads to better results.

Which questions

• Simple: choose from options and explain your choice
• Add more detail: you can compare it with other options

Which questions

Example question

Question: Which is better for printed signs—RGB or CMYK?\

Simple: CMYK is better for printed signs.

With context/detail: For printed signs, CMYK is preferred because it uses four colours (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) suitable for printing processes. RGB is more suitable for digital displays, as it uses red, green, and blue light to create colours on screens.

How questions

You may need to answer a few different types of how questions, such as:

How often

• Simple: describe the frequency (e.g. daily, weekly, once a month)
• Add more detail: include any patterns, exceptions, or why this particular frequency is correct

How much / many

• Simple: give the quantity or number (e.g. 5 units, 20 people)
• Add more detail: explain why the quantity or number is the correct answer

How do you / can you (do something)

• Simple: describe the basic steps or method
• Add more detail: provide detailed steps or explanation about why these steps or this method should be used

How is / are

• Simple: describe a current state, method or difference
• Add more detail: explain why the state is the way it is, why a method should be used or detail the differences

Example questions

Question: How often should a kiln be serviced?\

Simple: A kiln should be serviced once a year or after every 200 firings.

With context/detail: For most kilns used in educational or hobby settings, service is recommended once a year or after every 200 firings to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Question: How many milligrams of paracetamol can an adult have in a 24 hour period?\

Simple: An adult can have a maximum of 4,000 milligrams in 24 hours.

With context/detail: An adult can have a maximum of 4,000 milligrams in 24 hours. It's important to avoid exceeding this limit to prevent liver damage and other potential side effects.

Questions: How do you measure a person's body mass index (BMI)?\

Simple answer: Calculate BMI by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres.

With context/detail: Calculate BMI by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. This calculation is used to assess whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

Questions: How are cover letters and resumes different?\

Simple answer: Cover letters introduce you and highlight your interest in a job, while resumes list your skills, experiences, and qualifications.

With context/detail: Cover letters are personalised documents that show your interest and suitability for a job, highlighting your experiences and skills. Resumes are organised lists of your work history, education, and skills. Together, they give a full picture of your qualifications.

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Keywords

• Understanding assignments
• Assessment

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