Internet Academy Resources

QAR: Question/Answer Relationsips

What is QAR?

QAR stands for Question-Answer Relationship. There is a relationship between the types of questions asked, the answers expected, and where you can find the answers.

How will QAR help me read better?

QAR will help you recognize the relationship between

• The questions teachers ask.
• The answers they expect.
• Where to find the information as you read.

What does QAR look like and how does it work?

There are two levels and four types of questions in QAR.

1. Text-Based Levels - The first two types of questions in QAR are text-based because the information is right there in the material you are reading.
   
   Right There Questions

   Right There questions ask you to respond at the literal level. The words used to formulate the question and to answer the question can be found "right there" in the same sentence of the text. Right There questions begin with such words or phrases as

   • Who is…? "
   • Where is…?
   • What is…? "
   • When is…? "
   • How many…?
   • When did…?
   • What kind of…?

Name…List…

These questions usually can be answered with a one-word or short-phrase response and require one right answer. Sample questions:

• Who discovered America?
• Who was the first person to walk on the moon?

Think and Search Questions

Think and Search questions require you to:

• Think about how the information or ideas in the text relate to one another
• Search through the entire passage you read to find information that applies.

Think and Search questions may begin with such words or statements as:

• Summarize…
• Contrast…
• Retell…
• Explain…
• Compare…
• What caused…?
• How did…?
• Find two examples…
• For what reason…?
• Sample question: Summarize the strategies the person described in this chapter could use to improve his financial situation.

2. Knowledge-Based Levels
   
   The second two types of QARs are called knowledge-based because you must use your prior knowledge to answer the questions.
   
   Author and You Questions

   These questions require you to:

   • Answer with information not in the text.
   • Read the text material to understand what the question is asking.
   • Sample question The topic of the passage is cloning. In what instances, if ever, do you think cloning should be used?

"On my Own" Questions

These questions can be answered:

• With information from your own background knowledge.
• Without reading the text.
• Sample question:Describe your experiences as a science student. Include classes you’ve taken, students and teachers you remember, material you covered, and the best and worst science experiences of your life.

How would I use QAR in a class?

Your teacher may ask you QAR questions or ask you to develop them on your own after you have read an assigned passage.

Knowing the type of question asked will help you become more efficient in finding the answer in your reading.

Conclusion and Review

So you can see that if you know the type of question you are being asked, you have a better idea of where and how to find the answers.

Let’s review:

Name the type of questions being asked and where you would find the information.

1. The main idea of the passage was the conflict in Yugoslavia. When, if ever, do you think civil disobedience is justified?
2. What is the capital of Yugoslavia?
3. What caused the people of Yugoslavia to take to the streets to protest?
4. Explain the democratic process for electing a president.