Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?

• A. Would you like to proceed now?
• B. Is this okay?
• C. What is your name?
• D. How would you like things to be different?

Answer: (D)

Open-ended questions invite detailed responses and ongoing conversation rather than a simple yes-or-no answer. They often start with how, what, why, tell me, or describe, and they encourage the person to share thoughts, feelings, needs, and goals.

How would you like things to be different? fits this pattern because it asks the person to articulate their vision for change, describe their preferences, and discuss possible next steps. It invites reflection and collaboration, which is important in peer support to promote autonomy and partnership in planning.

The other prompts usually elicit brief or binary answers. Would you like to proceed now? invites a yes or no decision, offering limited opportunity to explore concerns or preferences. Is this okay? is also a yes-or-no check-in. What is your name? seeks a specific piece of information, typically answerable with a single word or a short phrase, and doesn’t invite discussion about goals or changes. In a peer support context, open-ended questions like the chosen example are more effective for engaging the person and supporting meaningful dialogue.