Which type of question is used to determine familiarity with the subject matter?

• A. Canvassing questions
• B. Reverse questions
• C. Leading questions
• D. Yes/No questions

Answer: (A)

When you're trying gauge someone's familiarity with a subject, broad, open-ended questions are most effective. These canvassing questions invite the respondent to describe what they know in their own words, revealing depth of understanding, vocabulary, and any misconceptions. For example, asking what comes to mind when you hear the term risk communication, or how you would explain its main goal, helps you see whether they grasp core ideas and can articulate them. This approach gives you a quick, practical read on their baseline knowledge so you can tailor further discussion or training accordingly.

Yes/No questions, in contrast, only confirm a yes or no without showing how well the person understands the topic or where gaps lie. Leading questions steer toward a particular answer, which can mask true familiarity. Reverse questions aren’t typically used to measure baseline knowledge and can confuse the respondent. So, starting with canvassing questions provides the clearest picture of what the person actually knows and what needs clarification.