Understanding Question Types
Learn to recognize and categorize different types of reading questions so you can apply the right strategy every time.
Why Categorize Questions?
Different Questions Need Different Strategies
Just like different tools are used for different jobs, different question types need different approaches. Learning to identify question types helps you choose the right strategy!
On standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, reading questions fall into several categories. Each category requires a slightly different approach. When you can quickly identify what TYPE of question you're facing, you can apply the best strategy to answer it correctly.
Benefits of Knowing Question Types
- You can quickly choose the right approach
- You know where to look in the passage for answers
- You avoid common traps for each question type
- You can pace yourself better during timed tests
The Four Main Question Categories
Literal Questions
Ask for information stated directly in the passage. The answer is "right there" in the text.
- Main idea questions
- Detail questions
- Sequence questions
Inferential Questions
Ask you to "read between the lines" using clues from the passage.
- Inference questions
- Conclusion questions
- Prediction questions
Vocabulary Questions
Ask about word meanings, often in context of how they're used in the passage.
- "What does X mean?"
- "As used in line..."
- Figurative language
Structural Questions
Ask about how the passage is organized or why the author made certain choices.
- Author's purpose
- Text structure
- Tone and style
Question Stem Reference Guide
Here are common question stems and which category they belong to:
| Question Stem | Category |
|---|---|
| "What is this passage mainly about?" | Literal |
| "According to the passage..." | Literal |
| "The passage suggests that..." | Inferential |
| "It can be inferred that..." | Inferential |
| "The word 'X' most nearly means..." | Vocabulary |
| "As used in line 5, 'Y' refers to..." | Vocabulary |
| "The author's primary purpose is..." | Structural |
| "The passage is organized by..." | Structural |
Strategy: The SORT Method
Use the SORT Method
See the question stem
Read the question carefully. Look for keywords that tell you the type.
Organize into categories
Decide: Is this Literal, Inferential, Vocabulary, or Structural?
Return to the passage
Go back to the text to find evidence. Know where to look based on question type.
Test your answer
Check that your answer matches what the question is really asking.
Examples
Let's practice identifying question types with a sample passage.
Read this passage:
The giant panda is one of the world's most beloved animals. Native to China, pandas spend most of their day eating bamboo - up to 38 kilograms per day! Despite their large appetite, pandas are classified as carnivores because they descended from meat-eating ancestors. However, their diet today is 99% bamboo.
Conservation efforts have helped panda populations recover. In 2016, pandas were upgraded from "Endangered" to "Vulnerable" on the conservation status list. This success shows that careful protection and habitat preservation can make a real difference for threatened species.
Now let's categorize these questions:
Question 1: "According to the passage, how much bamboo can a panda eat per day?"
Category: Literal
Why: This asks for a specific fact that is directly stated in the passage ("up to 38 kilograms per day"). You just need to find it in the text.
Question 2: "The passage suggests that the author believes..."
Category: Inferential
Why: The word "suggests" tells you this is an inference question. The answer won't be stated directly - you need to figure out what the author implies.
Question 3: "As used in paragraph 2, 'vulnerable' most nearly means..."
Category: Vocabulary
Why: This asks about the meaning of a specific word. The phrase "as used in" tells you to consider the context.
Question 4: "The author includes information about conservation status in order to..."
Category: Structural
Why: This asks WHY the author made a choice. It's about the structure and purpose of the writing, not just what it says.
Practice
Read the question stems below and identify what type each one is. Click to check your answer!
"The main idea of this passage is..."
"Based on the passage, it can be concluded that..."
"In line 7, the word 'remarkable' most closely means..."
"The author's purpose in writing this passage is to..."
"Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that..."
"The passage is organized primarily by..."
"The reader can infer that the character feels..."
"The phrase 'silver lining' in paragraph 3 is used to suggest..."
Check Your Understanding: Question Type Sorter
Sort these question stems into the correct category. Can you get them all right?
Question Type Sorter
What type of question is this?
Game Complete!
Next Steps
Remember These Key Points:
- Literal: Answers are stated directly in the passage
- Inferential: Requires reading between the lines
- Vocabulary: Asks about word or phrase meanings in context
- Structural: Focuses on author's purpose and text organization
- Use the SORT method: See, Organize, Return, Test
- Practice identifying question types before you answer them
- Notice keywords in question stems that reveal the type
- Move on to the next lesson to practice timed reading drills