Open-ended questions are those that:

Open-ended questions are those that:

• A. Limit responses to yes or no
• B. Allow respondents to answer however they want
• C. Require a numeric answer only
• D. Are used to test memory

Answer: (B)

Open-ended questions invite unrestricted, descriptive responses in the respondent’s own words. This format lets people share thoughts, feelings, and detailed explanations, providing depth and nuance that fixed options can miss. Because the point of open-ended questioning is to gather rich, qualitative information rather than a simple verdict, it contrasts with questions that limit answers to yes or no, or require only a numeric value, or focus on recalling information. Those latter forms are closed-ended or memory-focused and don’t capture the broader context or reasoning behind a person’s response. So, allowing respondents to answer however they want best matches what open-ended questions are designed to do.

Open-ended questions invite unrestricted, descriptive responses in the respondent’s own words. This format lets people share thoughts, feelings, and detailed explanations, providing depth and nuance that fixed options can miss. Because the point of open-ended questioning is to gather rich, qualitative information rather than a simple verdict, it contrasts with questions that limit answers to yes or no, or require only a numeric value, or focus on recalling information. Those latter forms are closed-ended or memory-focused and don’t capture the broader context or reasoning behind a person’s response. So, allowing respondents to answer however they want best matches what open-ended questions are designed to do.