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Ask Good Questions

Take notes and answer questions here.

Review

In “Solve Problems,” you learned how to solve problems. Discuss how you have used the three-step solving process.

Learn

Sometimes it is difficult to ask questions in class. You might be too nervous to talk in front of others, or you may worry others will think your question is foolish. You are not alone; many students do not like speaking in front of others. However, it is important to remember that asking questions is the beginning of all learning. God’s children have always asked questions as they have searched for knowledge and answers. Questions have led to discoveries in history and the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Honest questions lead to blessings of great knowledge.

It is important to ask questions that will help you gather more information so you can understand what you are learning. In the example below, Hali is in Sunday School. She does not understand how to receive answers to her prayers. Read about the questions she asks and what she does as she seeks knowledge.

• Hali could ask, “Will Heavenly Father answer my prayers?”

This is a good question, but the teacher could just answer “yes” and move on. Hali wants to learn more, so she asks these questions instead:

• “Why will Heavenly Father answer my prayers?”

• “How will Heavenly Father answer my prayers?”

These are questions that will lead to detailed answers.

As her teacher answers her questions, Hali realizes she still does not understand. She asks her teacher to repeat his answer and explain it. She tries not to worry about what other students think. She remembers that it is important that she learns and understands.

During class, Hali thinks of several other questions. She writes them down so she will not forget them. She decides to ask her parents her other questions when she goes home.

After class, other students tell Hali they had the same questions, but they were afraid to ask them. They thank Hali for being brave and asking good questions.

You can do all the things Hali did in Sunday School in school or at church to learn more when you do not understand.

Activity

With a partner, play the following question game. In this game, you will ask questions to get information. Notice which questions help you get information and which do not. You will have to think carefully about your questions. Follow these steps:

1. Partner A chooses a picture without telling Partner B what picture they have chosen.

2. Partner B may ask only three questions to figure out which picture Partner A chose. Partner A may only answer with the word “yes” or the word “no.” Partner B will need to ask very good questions. If Partner B asks, “Is it an animal?” and Partner A answers yes, Partner B will not have much information. However, if Partner B asks, “Does it have fur?” and Partner A says yes, Partner B will have more information to use to correctly guess which picture Partner A has chosen.

3. After Partner B has correctly guessed Partner A’s picture (or asked three questions), Partner B chooses a picture, and Partner A asks three questions.

What have you learned about asking questions that will help you in school? How can the questions you ask help you gather information and understand what you are learning?

Talk with Your Family

Talk with friends or family members about times when they have felt nervous about asking questions. What have they learned about the importance of asking good questions?