Answer:
Explanation:
To better understand the content being presented in their core subject areas, it is essential for students
to learn to think critically and to ask higher levels of questions. By asking higher levels of questions,
students deepen their knowledge and create connections to the material being presented, which in turn
prepares them for the inquiry that occurs in tutorials. Students need to be familiar with Costa’s (and/or
Bloom’s) levels of questioning to assist them in formulating and identifying higher levels of questions.
Directions: Read the poem below and review the “Three House Story” on the next page. Both set the
stage for Costa’s Levels of Questioning.
One-Two-Three Story Intellect Poem
There are one-story intellects,
two-story intellects,
and three-story intellects with skylights.
All fact collectors who have
no aim beyond their facts
are one-story people.
Two-story people compare, reason,
generalize, using the labor of
fact collectors as their own.
Three-story people idealize,
imagine, predict—their best illumination
comes through the skylight.
Adapted from a quotation by Oliver Wendell Holmes
The Three-Story House
Level 1 (the lowest level) requires one to gather information.
Level 2 (the middle level) requires one to process the information.
Level 3 (the highest level) requires one to apply the information.
3—Applying
Evaluate Generalize Imagine
Judge Predict Speculate
If/Then Hypothesize Forecast
2—Processing
Compare Contrast Classify
Sort Distinguish Explain (Why?)
Infer Analyze
1—Gathering
Complete Define Describe
Identify List Observe
Recite Select
