Bloom's Taxonomy Question Stems

Knowledge—recalling basic facts, terms, concepts and answers

What is…?                              
Who were the main…?            
Where is…?

Which one…?                          
How did ____ happen…?       
How is…?

Why did…?                                      
When did ____ happen…?     
When did…?

How would you know…?       
Can you recall…?                   
How would you explain…?

Can you select?

Comprehension —demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions and stating main ideas

How would you classify…?    
How would you compare…?  contrast…?

How would you rephrase…?  
How would you state or interpret in your own words?

What facts or ideas show…?   
Explain what is happening…?   
What is meant?

What is the main idea of…?    
What can you say about…?

Which statements support…? 
Which is the best answer…?

How would you summarize…?

Application —solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way

How would you use…?                        
What examples can you find in…?

How would you organize…?                
How would you solve ____ using what you’ve learned?

What would result if…?                       
Can you make use of the facts to…?

What way would you plan to…?        
How would you apply what you learned to develop…?

What elements would you change…?            
What facts would you use to show…?

What questions would you ask in an interview with…?

Analysis —examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes.  Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations

How is…related to…?                       
What are the parts or features of…?

Why do you think…?                        
What inference can you make…?

What is the function of…?                
What conclusions can you draw…?

Can you list the parts…?                            
What motive is there…?

How would you classify…?              
What is the relationship between…?

What ideas justify?                            
Can you make a distinction between…?

Synthesis —combine elements of the information into a new pattern or for a new purpose to come to an alternate solution

How would you improve…?            
What changes would you make to solve…

What would happen if…?                 
Can you elaborate on the reason…?

Can you invent…?                                    
Can you propose an alternative…?

What way would you design…?       
How would you adapt ____ to create a different…?

How would you test…?                    
What could be combined to improve/change…?

Can you formulate a theory for…?   
Can you predict the outcome if…?

What facts can you compile…?                  
How would you estimate the results for…?

Evaluation—present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas or quality of work based on a set of criteria

What is your opinion of…?    
Do you agree with the actions…? 
With the outcome…?

Would it be better if…?           
How would you prove…?  disprove…?

Why did they choose…?                   
Can you assess the value or importance of…?

How would you rate the…?    
What would you recommend…?      

How would you evaluate…?   
What would you cite to defend the actions…?

How would you prioritize…?  
What data was used to support…?

How would you justify…?      
How would you compare the ideas…?  People…?

Why is it better that…?           
What judgment would you make about…?