Lesson 12 of 24
Part 3 question types
Match your reasoning to the task
| Type | What the examiner’s question invites | A useful thinking move |
|---|---|---|
| Causes | Why something happens | Separate practical, social or individual factors |
| Effects | What something changes | Explain a chain of consequences |
| Comparison | How groups, times or situations differ | Compare on the same dimension |
| Evaluation | Whether something is useful or desirable | Judge it against a clear purpose |
| Solutions | How a problem might be addressed | Link the action to the cause and consider a limitation |
| Prediction | What might happen | State a likely direction and the condition behind it |
| Responsibility | Who should act | Compare capacity, influence and practical roles |
Compare fairly
Question: “How is learning online different from learning in a classroom?” Compare flexibility with flexibility, or feedback with feedback. “Online study is convenient, while classrooms have desks” compares unrelated features. A clearer answer is: “Online study can make scheduling easier, whereas a classroom may make immediate interaction easier.” Then explain the circumstance in which each advantage matters.
Distinguish causes from solutions
If people avoid a local library because its opening hours conflict with work, adding more posters may not address the main barrier. A strong solution answer explains the connection: longer evening opening hours allow working residents to attend; however, staffing and cost need consideration.
Predictions are conditional
“Nobody will visit shops in the future” is hard to defend. “Routine purchases may move further online if delivery remains convenient, but shops offering advice or an enjoyable experience could still attract customers” gives a direction and a limit. Predictions do not require certainty.
Practice: discuss one topic through three different question types. For public libraries, explain why people visit, compare present and past uses, then suggest a way to attract new visitors. Notice how the answer changes even though the topic vocabulary overlaps.