Levels of Questions

Level 1: Literal
Basic comprehension questions—they have a right answer that can be found explicitly in the text. They are based on readily available facts about the text. They are like quick quiz questions!

Examples:
Which birds could Rukmani hear when she was pounding chili?
What is the setting of the story?
What was once Rukmani’s fathers’ occupation?


Level 2: Inferential
These are higher level thinking questions—students have to infer the answer to these analytical questions. They often address symbolic or thematic issues in a text or questions that beg literary analysis. These questions are directly related to elements of plot, literary technique, or author’s intent.

Examples:
What is Markandaya saying about social hierarchy in Nectar in a Sieve?
Why may have Markandaya titled her novel “Nectar in a Sieve”?
What was Kunthi trying to imply when she threatened to tell Nathan about Rukmani’s visits to Kenny? Why is this important?


Level 3: text-text or text-world
These are also higher level thinking questions that ask students to synthesize, reflect, compare, and/or contrast.
They address larger ideas or themes that occur in the world, in human nature, or across texts. One may start with a general theme present in a text, but expand the idea to issues beyond the text at hand or to other texts.

Examples:
What effect does poverty have on an individual, and then on a society as a whole?
In what ways does characterization, in Nectar in a Sieve reveal Markandaya’s view of the role of women in society?
How are Nathan and Wang Lung similar in their devotion to their land - and why do they fail to pass on this passion to their sons?