Skip to main content

How to Write Appeal-Proof Questions!

So glad you stopped by! The text and images on this blog belong to me, so please do not copy, repost, or distribute them. Thank you! 

 How to Write Excellent Questions  

Be Clear

  • Make sure that both the questions and answer options are clear and accurate.
  • Use correct grammar and punctuation.
  • Capitalize the first word of every sentence. End each sentence with a punctuation mark. Questions should end with a question mark.
  • Capitalize the proper nouns (the special names given to one particular person or place) in both the question and the answer choices.
  • Use appropriately placed commas to help clarify the question.
  • Keep it simple. Don't use more words than you need to in order to clarify the question and answer choices. Sometimes a little extra explanation is needed for clarity, but for the most part, don't muddy up your question with too many words.

Be Specific

  • Write your question in such a way that there is only one way to interpret it.
  • Use phrases like "According to" or "According to the context of" to specify the exact verse/chapter/passage your question and answer are from.
  • Specify the exact reference (Memory Passage, Cross-Reference, or specific verse/chapter from the Study Passage).
  • Use the full Scripture reference in this format: Matthew 28:16-20.
  • Use precise language.
  • If you choose to use a synonym in place of a word in the passage, make sure the meaning is truly similar and that your choice of synonym is not used in another part of the passage.
  • Make sure that all of the incorrect answer choices are truly incorrect. Do not use words that are similar in meaning to the correct answer.
  • Check the other Bible versions and use a slash "/" when necessary to include all the words/phrases in each version. This applies to both questions and answer choices.

Be Accurate

  • Ensure that your questions and answers do not contain any errors.
  • Use proper spelling.
  • Use the correct verb forms and pronouns (i.e., "to/from whom")
  • Make sure that you understand what you are asking and what the answer is. If you do not understand then you will not be able to ask a clear and accurate question on the passage.
  • Check your sources, particularly for context-based questions where the material is found outside of the passage text. If there is confusion, find a new question or answer choice.
  • Sometimes there is not a conclusive answer about some matters. This is true of dates, authors, and some events. Do not ask questions about contested or uncertain topics.

Writing excellent questions requires you to understand that material and to think through each question and answer choice. If a question or the answer choices require an explanation from you, then they are not clear and you need to refine them.

Basic Question Templates

Who is mentioned in [reference]?
Who is NOT mentioned in [reference]?
Which passage mentions [person]?
Who is speaking in [reference]?
To whom is ______ speaking in [reference]?

Which of these is mentioned in [reference]?
Which of these is NOT mentioned in [reference]?
Which passage mentioned [keyword]?

How many of your memory passages mention [keyword]?
How many of your memory passages mention [person]?
How many of your memory passages mention [place/event]?

Which theme fits BEST with [reference]?
Which attribute of God is demonstrated in [reference]?

What happens in the context before [reference]?
What happens in the context after [reference]?

Which passage is quoted in [reference]?
Which passage contains a quote from [reference]?

According to its context, where does [reference] take place?
According to its context, when does [reference] take place?

Which theme is NOT mentioned in your memory passages?
Which person/place/event is NOT mentioned in your memory passages?

 

Blessings in your Bible Bee studies!

Rebecca Chew  

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Everything We Did to Prepare for NBCC 2025

Each year, as we begin our journey of studying for the National Bible Bee Competition, I try to reach back to the recesses of my brain to remember what we did *last* year. There are, of course, things that we do every year, but things are always changing and I find that I am constantly making adjustments. Also, getting started with study materials is daunting, even if you have been doing it for several years. So, in the name of posterity and as a help to others (and my future self), I decided to document the study materials that we actually used this year. My preparation focuses on materials for the Study Passage (useful for everyone) and all things related to Primaries. Our Junior kids are often somewhere in between independence and needing some support, so I did have some Junior-specific materials this year. However, the Seniors are on their own! Mom's BB Notebooks. :) Planning Gathering study materials for NBBC is a big task, and like all big tasks, planning is key. I usually st...
1 comment
Read more

All About Cross-References, Part 2

Continued on from here .  What about context? Context is the key to interpreting Scripture.  The list below may seem overwhelming, but it is really just a list of questions that you can ask about a passage of Scripture to help you understand its meaning in its literary, historical, geographical, and cultural context. Not every questions applies to every passage. The best place to begin is by asking yourself, "What information is not provided in the passage that is necessary for me to understand what is being said/what is happening?" Here are some considerations as you get started. When looking at the context of cross-references, it is important to note the following: Literary Style - What type of writing is the passage?  Then ask some of the questions listed under each style.  You do not need to ask all of the questions.  In fact, some passages will not have answers to all of them.  For descriptions of the styles look here . Epistle Who is writing? Who i...
Post a Comment
Read more

NBBC 2025: A Bible Bee Mom's Perspective

As I was preparing two dozen sandwiches in our family's three-bedroom suite at the Kalahari Resort, the thought crossed my mind that I could document what Nationals week looks like from a mom's perspective. Why should the kids have all the fun recording their memories from such a monumental week? At the time, I was thinking that I would mainly focus on practical things: How do we feed everyone? How do we get people ready for various rounds of competition? What does it *really* look like for our family of eleven to attend the NBBC? You know, those "behind the scenes" type thing. I didn't realize that this would be the end of a long chapter for our family's participation in the NBBC. NBBC Meal Prep Hack: make sandwiches ahead of time to grab on busy days. Our very first time going to NBBC was in 2015. Our oldest son Joshua was eight and our oldest daughter Hannah was seven. It was a long drive from Virginia to San Antonio, and it was a stressful week with six ch...
Post a Comment
Read more