Questions and Answers

Questions are usually followed by answers. In this challenge, the tables are turned. Groups are provided with answers first and must come up with as many question as possible to suit the given answer. This can be used as a fun ice breaker or can be linked to a subject or theme and used at the start of a training workshop to test a groups current knowledge.

Backwards questions encourage group members to think creatively. When responding to the challenge they cannot just shout the answer; they have to rearrange their thought process and phrase their answer as a question. Figuring out what questions suit the answer takes some ingenuity.

Gather a pencil or pen, some paper and a stopwatch for scoring. Read the instructions and an answer from the following list out aloud to your group. Begin tallying their answers as soon as they begin. There is no need to write down individual responses – just keep track on how many answers the team come up with within the set time. This activity also encourages progressive development, with the aim to beat their score for the next answer and so on.

For example: The answer is Book. What is the question? Get groups to think of all the possible unique questions that fit with this answer:

• You can read it?
• It is found in the library?
• You can buy it from Amazon?
• Comes in all sizes?
• Provides information about a subject?
• Tells a story?
• Dickens wrote a few?
• If you wrote one you may be called a novelist?

You get the idea…

Teams are given 2 minutes to come up with as many questions as possible.

• Here are fifteen example answers to give a try:
• The answer is Film. What is the question?
• The answer is Mickey Mouse. What is the question?
• The answer is London. What is the question?
• The answer is Rain. What is the question?
• The answer is Light. What is the question?
• The answer is Chocolate. What is the question?
• The answer is Car. What is the question?
• The answer is Computer. What is the question?
• The answer is Koala Bears. What is the question?
• The answer is Mars. What is the question?
• The answer is Music. What is the question?
• The answer is Baseball. What is the question?
• The answer is Green. What is the question?
• The answer is tired. What is the question?
• The answer is space. What is the question?

Be Creative and come up with your own answers. You can even link to a particular theme or subject to test your group’s knowledge and understanding.