The art of asking questions

Most childr3n learn rather early in life that when you don't know something you ask someone who might have an answers. But as you grow into sophisticated adulthood you learn that asking good questions, that truly facilitate communication is an art. We've chosen the questioning approach to check out your skill-level in this area - answer TRUE of FALSE.

1. It's better to start out with the hardest questions and wind up with the easy ones. ______
2. Try to make many of your questions answerable by a simple yes or no. _________
   
3. The way you ask the question is at least as important as what you ask. ________
   
4. You should largely ignore the "feelings" components and focus on the logical content. ______
5. To get the valid answers (facts) you should somehow box him or her in. ________
6. Showing a sincere interest in the other usually reduces his defensiveness. ________
7. If it's usually better to use open-ended questions rather than closed-end ones. ________
8. Avoid posing threats ti his status, future, or well-being. ________
9. Try to read hidden meanings and get right to the issue. _________
   
10. If he's not answering your questions, point that out of him. __________

EGO QUIZ has been a little tricky with the questions to try to challenge the depth of your questioning skills, but tricky questions are not usually desirable in ordinary communications.

#1 is false as just the opposite is true in order to first build rapport.

#2 is false as you are not getting him to talk with simple yes and no answers.

#3, 6,7,8 are all true and very basic to good communications. Answer "false" to #4 because you must read accurately his feelings and attitudes and show him you understand.

Only the lawyer-type situation would call for boxing him in (#5 false). Threat usually leads to falsification, rationalization, and anger.

#10 is false too as that is usually too threatening and he will likely back off. You should indeed try yo read his hidden meanings, but should be very slow and gentle in surfacing them in your questioning (#9 false.)

If you got all these questions correct you may indeed be a good question asker. But EGOQUIZ knows too that it talks many other personal qualities such as patience., respect, friendliness, good will, and probably some training if it's your business to be able to ask good questions. But let's get back to the simplicity of childhood. "If you don't know, ask"