High-order questions require answers that go beyond simple information and involve more abstract language functions, such as giving and justifying opinions, speculation, and hypothesising. Which term best fits this description?

• A. High-order questions
• B. Low-order questions
• C. Factual questions
• D. Surface questions

Answer: (A)

Understanding the types of questions by cognitive demand is essential here. High-order questions require answers that go beyond recalling facts and involve abstract language functions like giving and justifying opinions, speculation, and hypothesising. The best term for this description is high-order questions, because it signals thinking that involves arguing, evaluating, and creating rather than simply recalling information. Lower-order questions focus on remembering or straightforward understanding; factual questions seek specific pieces of information; surface questions are shallow and don’t require deeper reasoning. So the description clearly matches high-order questions.