open-ended question

Meaning

An open-ended question is a question that cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no', or with a static, predetermined response. It requires the respondent to provide a detailed, explanatory, or subjective answer, often encouraging critical thinking or discussion.

Examples

• The interviewer asked an open-ended question to get me talking about my past experiences.

  The interviewer asked an open-ended question to get me talking about my past experiences.

• To encourage class discussion, the professor prefers asking open-ended questions.

  To encourage class discussion, the professor prefers asking open-ended questions.

• Unlike multiple choice, an open-ended question allows you to express your own opinions.

  Unlike multiple choice, an open-ended question allows you to express your own opinions.

• Our research survey includes both rating scales and open-ended questions for detailed feedback.

  Our research survey includes both rating scales and open-ended questions for detailed feedback.

• It is harder to grade an open-ended question because there is no single correct answer.

  It is harder to grade an open-ended question because there is no single correct answer.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She asked me an open-ending question about my career goals.

  ✓ She asked me an open-ended question about my career goals.

  The correct compound adjective is 'open-ended' (ending in -ed), not 'open-ending'.

• ✗ The test had five open end questions.

  ✓ The test had five open-ended questions.

  The adjective requires both the hyphen and the '-ed' suffix: 'open-ended'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Instead of asking 'Did you like the book?', try asking an ___ like 'What did you think of the ending?'

  💡 A question that requires more than a yes/no answer

  Show answer

  open-ended question

• The exam had one ___ at the end that required a paragraph-long response.

  💡 A question with no fixed options

  Show answer

  open-ended question