📖 ReadingLevel 1Lesson 29
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Asking and Answering Questions
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Learning Objectives
- 1Distinguish between thin (fact) and thick (thinking) questions about a story
- 2Give complete, evidence-based answers using the R.A.C.E. framework
- 3Ask and answer questions in a book discussion with a partner
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Mini Lesson
Asking questions about a story is one of the most powerful reading skills you can have. Questions keep you thinking, help you understand the story more deeply, and make discussions with others much more interesting. There are two types of question to know.
Thin questions — one right answer, found in the text
- These have a single, clear answer that you can point to in the book.
- They usually start with: Who? What? Where? When? How many?
- Example: "Where does the story take place?" → "In a forest."
- Thin questions check that you understood the facts of the story.
Thick questions — many possible answers, require thinking
- These have no single right answer — they make you think beyond the text.
- They usually start with: Why? How do you feel? What do you think? What if? Would you?
- Example: "Why do you think the character made that choice?"
- Thick questions lead to the best discussions — everyone can share their view!
The R.A.C.E. formula — how to give a strong answer
- R — Restate the question in your answer.
- A — Answer the question clearly.
- C — Give a Citation — point to evidence in the text.
- E — Explain why that evidence supports your answer.
- Example: "The character felt scared (R+A) because the text says 'her hands were shaking' (C), which shows she was frightened (E)."
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Ask yourself: "Is this a thin question (one answer in the book) or a thick question (needs thinking)?"
Vocabulary
Thin question
A question with one clear answer that is directly in the texte.g. "Where does the story take place?"
Thick question
A question that requires thinking beyond the text and has many possible answerse.g. "Why did the character make that choice?"
Citation
Pointing to the exact words in the text that support your answere.g. "The text says 'her hands were shaking.'"
R.A.C.E.
A four-step answer formula: Restate, Answer, Cite, Explaine.g. Use R.A.C.E. to build a strong, evidence-based answer.
Evidence
Words or details from the text that prove an answer is correcte.g. Her shaking hands are evidence she was afraid.
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