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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Closed and Open Questions Abstract This paper discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of open and closed questions. Open questions are defined as non-restrictive and having multiple correct answers. They often generate unexpected and exciting results. Besides, open questions promote open-mindedness and invite many answers or possibilities. Closed questions are defined as restrictive and having only one correct answer. Closed questions can be completed quickly, and need very little effort on the part of those being questioned. They also make information easy to collate. “Questioning is a teaching tool that can be used to help students discover the art of questioning as a learning tool and as a reading strategy” (Moss, 2002, p. 78). As effective learners, we not only need answer questions, above all, but also we should acquire to ask different styles of questions, judge elements of questions, and reach the conclusions. Open and closed questions are both merits and demerits, in order to enhance class effectiveness; we need seek for a balance point and create an active and stimulated class circumstance. Key words: advantages﹔disadvantages ﹔closed questions﹔ open questions﹔ Ⅰ. Introduction Questions often are divided into low-level and high-level questions. In school, low-level questions are invited to evaluate if students have remembered facts and manipulate results. They are known as closed questions. “A closed question normally has one correct answer that can be answered with either a single word or a short phrase” (Raphael, 1994, p. 117). Examples of closed questions include: ‘how old are you’ ,‘How many eyes do you have?’ And ‘Did you eat lunch?’ Questions that can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ reply are called closed questions. Closed questions are also labeled ‘skinny.’ These questions do not require complex thought and exploration. They are usually used to examine whether if students remember the standpoints