Which type of question is specifically designed to invite long, descriptive responses?

• A. Open-Ended Question
• B. Closed-Ended Question
• C. Rhetorical Question
• D. Leading Question

Answer: (A)

Questions that invite long, descriptive responses are built to elicit elaboration rather than a simple yes or no. An open-ended question asks for details, explanations, and personal experiences, encouraging the respondent to expand with thoughts, examples, and reasoning. This leads to richer, more nuanced answers than brief affirmations or selections. In contrast, a closed-ended question seeks a short, specific reply like yes, no, or choosing from options. A rhetorical question is often for emphasis and doesn’t require a real answer, and a leading question nudges the respondent toward a particular conclusion. So the type designed to invite substantial, descriptive replies is open-ended, because its purpose is to encourage thorough, thoughtful responses.