Questions for Critical Thinking

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Questions for Critical Thinking

Introduction
Bloom’s Taxonomy divides the way people learn into three domains. One of these is the cognitive domain which emphasizes intellectual outcomes. This domain further divides into categories which are arranged progressively from the lowest level of thinking, simple recall, to the highest, evaluating information.

The following questions can be used in the home, classroom, or workplace to develop all levels of thinking within the cognitive domain. The results will be improved attention to detail, increased comprehension and expanded problem solving skills. Use the Key Words as guides to structuring questions and tasks. Finish the Questions with content appropriate to the learner.

Level I
Knowledge
Exhibit memory of previously-learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts and answers.

Key Words
Who                what    why                 when               omit                 where              which
Choose            find      how                 define              label                 show               spell
List                  match   name                relate                tell                   recall                select

Questions
  • What is…?
  • Where is…?
  • How did _____ happen?
  • Why did…?
  • When did…?
  • How would you show…?
  • Who were the main…?
  • Which one…?
  • How is…?
  • When did ________ happen?
  • How would you explain…?
  • How would you describe…?
  • Can you recall…?
  • Can you select…?
  • Can you list the three…?
  • Who was…? 
Level II
Comprehension
Demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating main ideas.

Key Words
Compare                      contrast            demonstrate     interpret           explain
Extend                         illustrate           infer                 outline             relate
Rephrase                     translate           summarize       show               classify

Questions
  • How would you classify the type of…?
  •  How would you compare …? Contrast…?
  • Will you state or interpret in your own words…?
  • How would you rephrase the meaning…?
  • What facts or ideas show…?
  • What is the main idea of…?
  • Which statements support…?
  • Can you explain what is happening…? What is meant…?
  • What can you say about…?
  • Which is the best answer…?
  • How would you summarize…? 
Level III
Application
Solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way.

Key Words
Apply              build                choose
Construct         develop            interview
Make use of    organize           experiment with
Plan                 select               solve
Utilize              model              identify

Questions
  • How would you use…?
  • What examples can you find to…?
  • How would you solve ________ using what you’ve learned…?
  • How would you organize _______ to show…?
  • How would you show your understanding of …?
  • What approach would you use to…?
  • How would you apply what you learned to develop…?
  • What other way would you plan to…?
  • What would result if …?
  • Can you make use of the facts to…?
  • What elements would you choose to change…?
  • What facts would you select to show…?
  • What questions would you ask in an interview with…? 
Level IV
Analysis
Examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations.

Key Words
Analyze                       categorize                    classify
Compare                      contrast                        discover
Dissect                        divide                          examine
Inspect                         simplify                       survey
Take part in                 test for                         distinguish
List                              distinction                    theme
Relationships               function                       motive
Inference                     assumption                  conclusion

Questions
  • What are the parts or features of…?
  • How is _____ related to…?
  • Why do you think…?
  • What is the theme…?
  • What motive is there…?
  • Can you list the parts…?
  • What inference can you make…?
  • What conclusions can you draw…?
  • How would you classify…?
  • How would you categorize…?
  • Can you identify the different parts…?
  • What evidence can you find…?
  • What is the relationship between…?
  • Can you make a distinction between…?
  • What is the function of …?
  • What ideas justify…?
Level V
Synthesis
Compile information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions.

Key Words
Build               choose             combine
Compile           compose          construct
Create              design              develop
Estimate           formulate         imagine
Invent              make up           originate
Plan                 predict             propose
Solve               solution           suppose
Discuss           modify             change
Original           improve           adapt
Minimize         maximize         delete
Theorize          elaborate          test
Improve           happen             change

Questions
  • What changes would you make to solve…?
  • How would you improve …?
  • What would happen if …?
  • Can you elaborate on the reason …?
  • Can you propose an alternative …?
  • Can you invent …?
  • How would you adapt ______ to create a different …?
  • How could you change (modify) the plot (plan) …?
  • What could be done to minimize (maximize) …?
  • What way would you design …?
  • What could be combined to improve (change) …?
  • Suppose you could _____ what would you do …?
  • How would you test …?
  • Can you formulate a theory for …?
  • Can you predict the outcome if …?
  • How would you estimate the results for …?
  • What facts can you compile …?
  • Can you construct a model that would change …?
  • Can you think of an original way for the …? 
Level VI
Evaluation
Present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas or quality of work based on a set of criteria.

Key Words
Award             choose                         conclude
Criticize           decide                          defend
Determine        dispute                         evaluate
Judge               justify                          measure
Compare          mark                            rate
Recommend    rule on                         select
Agree              appraise                       prioritize
Opinion           interpret                       explain
Support           importance                   criteria
Prove               disprove                      assess
Influence         perceive                       value
Estimate           influence                      deduct

Questions
  • Do you agree with the actions …? with the outcome …?
  • What is your opinion of …?
  • How would you prove …? Disprove …?
  • Can you assess the value or importance of …?
  • Would it be better if …?
  • Why did they (the character) choose …?
  • What would you recommend …?
  • How would you rate the …?
  • What would you cite to defend the actions …?
  • How would you evaluate …?
  • How would you determine …?
  • What choice would you have made …?
  • What would you select …?
  • How would you prioritize …?
  • What judgment would you make about …?
  • Based on what you know, how would you explain …?
  • What information would you use to support the view …?
  • How would you justify …?
  • What data was used to make the conclusion …?
  • Why was it better that …?
  • How would you prioritize the facts …?
  • How would you compare the ideas …? People …?


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