12/3/2017 Bloom's Taxonomy of Questions

BLOOMS
TAXONOMY AND
THE DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF
QUESTIONS
THE TAXONOMY OF BLOOM
As teachers and as people part of the world, we ask questions to our
learners and people everyday. Not all questions are on the same
level. Some questions are easy to answer where other questions may
require a great deal of thinking.

Bloom (1956) has provided us with his taxonomy to assist us to

compose questions on different levels of thinking. This taxonomy
ranges from lower to higher levels of cognitive thinking. These levels
are (I will shortly provide more detail of each level):
(1) Knowledge
(2) Comprehension
(3) Application
(4) Analysis
(5) Synthesis
(6) Evaluation

EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS IN THE TAXONOMY

Dalton and Smith[1] (1986) provide us with the following examples:

KNOWLEDGE

USEFUL SAMPLE POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES

VERBS QUESTIONS AND PRODUCTS

Tell What Make a list of the main

List happened events..

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12/3/2017 Bloom's Taxonomy of Questions

Describe after...? Make a timeline of

Relate How many...? events.
Locate Who was it Make a facts chart.
Write that...? Write a list of any pieces
Find Can you name of information you can
State the...? remember.
Name Describe what List all the .... in the
happened at...? story/article/reading
Who spoke piece.
to...? Make a chart showing...
Can you tell
why...?
Find the
meaning of...?
What is...?
Which is true
or false...?

COMPREHENSION

POTENTIAL
USEFUL SAMPLE
ACTIVITIES AND
VERBS QUESTIONS
PRODUCTS

Explain Can you write in Cut out or draw

Interpret your own words...? pictures to show a
Outline Can you write a particular event.
Discuss brief outline...? Illustrate what you
Distinguish What do you think think the main idea
Predict could of happened was.
Restate next...? Make a cartoon
Translate Who do you strip showing the
Compare think...? sequence of

Describe What was the events.

main idea...? Write and perform
Who was the key a play based on the
character...? story.
Can you Retell the story in
distinguish your words.
between...? Paint a picture of
What differences some aspect you
exist between...? like.
Can you provide Write a summary
an example of report of an event.
what you mean...?

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Can you provide a Prepare a flow

definition for...? chart to illustrate
the sequence of
events.
Make a colouring
book.

APPLICATION

POTENTIAL
USEFUL SAMPLE
ACTIVITIES AND
VERBS QUESTIONS
PRODUCTS

Solve Do you know Construct a model

Show another instance to demonstrate how
Use where...? it will work.
Illustrate Could this have Make a scrapbook
Construct happened in...? about the areas of
Complete Can you group by study.
Examine characteristics such Take a collection of
Classify as...? photographs to
What factors would demonstrate a
you change if...? particular point.
Can you apply the Make up a puzzle
method used to game suing the
some experience of ideas from the study
your own...? area.
What questions Make a clay model
would you ask of an item in the
of...? material.
From the Design a market
information given, strategy for your
can you develop a product using a
set of instructions known strategy as a
about...? model.
Would this Paint a mural using
information be the same materials.
useful if you had a Write a textbook
...? about... for others.

ANALYSIS

USEFUL SAMPLE POTENTIAL

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12/3/2017 Bloom's Taxonomy of Questions

VERBS QUESTIONS ACTIVITIES AND

PRODUCTS

Analyse Which events Design a

Distinguish could have questionnaire to
Examine happened...? gather information.
Compare I ... happened, Write a commercial
Contrast what might the to sell a new
Investigate ending have product.
Categorise been? Conduct an
Identify How was this investigation to
Explain similar to...? produce information
What was the to support a view.
Separate
underlying theme Make a flow chart to
Advertise
of...? show the critical
What do you see stages.
as other possible Construct a graph to
outcomes? illustrate selected
Why did ... information.
changes occur? Make a family tree
Can you compare showing
your ... with that relationships.
presented in...? Put on a play about
Can you explain the study area.
what must have Write a biography of
happened the study person.
when...? Prepare a report
How is ... similar about the area of
to ...? study.
What are some of Arrange a party.
the problems Make all the
of...? arrangements and
Can you record the steps
distinguish needed.
between...? Review a work of art
What were some in terms of form,
of the motives colour and texture.
behind...? Review a film
What was the
turning point in
the game?
What was the
problem with...?

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SYNTHESIS

POTENTIAL
USEFUL SAMPLE
ACTIVITIES AND
VERBS QUESTIONS
PRODUCTS

Create Can you design a Invent a machine to

Invent ... to ...? do a specific task.
Compose Why not Design a building to
Predict compose a song house your study.
Plan about...? Create a new
Construct Can you see a product. Give it a
Design possible solution name and plan a
Imagine to...? marketing campaign.
Propose If you had access Write about your

Devise to all resources feelings in relation

how would you to...
Formulate
deal with...? Write a TV show,
Why don't you play, puppet show,
devise your own role play, song or
way pantomime about...?
to deal with...? Design a record,
What would book, or magazine
happen if...? cover for...?
How many ways Make up a new
can you...? language code and
Can you create write material suing
new and unusual it.
uses for...? Sell an idea.
Can you write a Devise a way to...
new recipe for a Compose a rhythm
tasty dish? or put new words to
Can you develop a known melody.
a proposal which
would...

EVALUATION

POTENTIAL
SAMPLE
USEFUL VERBS ACTIVITIES AND
QUESTIONS
PRODUCTS

Judge Is there a better Prepare a list of

Select solution to... criteria to judge a
Choose ... show. Indicate

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Decide Judge the value priority and

Justify of... ratings.
Debate Can you defend Conduct a debate
Verify your position about an issue of
Argue about...? special interest.
Recommend Do you think ... is Make a booklet
Assess a good or a bad about 5 rules you
Discuss thing? see as important.

Rate How would you Convince others.

have handled...? Form a panel to
Prioritise
What changes to discuss views, e.g.
Determine
... would you "Learning at
recommend? School.".
Do you believe? Write a letter to ...
Are you a ... advising on
person? changes needed
How would you at...
feel if...? Write a report.
How effective Prepare a case to
are...? present your view
What do you think about...
about...?

[1] Dalton, J. & Smith, D., (1986). Extending Childrens Special

Abilities: Strategies for primary classrooms (pp. 36-37).

Or available at:
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/researchskills/Dalton.htm

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