The idea, step by step
Ask about one thing
A data question helps us find something out. A category is a group, such as apple, banana or pear.
Ask one clear question, such as Which fruit is your favourite? Then collect one choice from each person.
Make room for the answers
Give choices that match your question. If someone chooses a different fruit, an Other group can include that answer.
Do not tell people which answer to choose. Their own answers are the information you want.
A common trap
A survey should encourage everyone to choose the same answer.
Instead: Ask fairly and record each person's own choice.
See the thinking
Choose a question
You want to sort lunch fruit into apple, banana and pear. What could you ask?
- The groups are types of fruit.
- Ask about the fruit, not an unrelated property such as shoe colour.
A missing choice
Your favourite-colour choices are red and blue. Jo says green. What could you do?
- Jo's answer does not fit the two choices.
- Include the response instead of changing it to red or blue.
Check your understanding
You want to find favourite pets. Which question fits: Which pet do you like most? or What day is it?
Show answer
Which pet do you like most?
The answers can be grouped by pet.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Write a question with answers that could be red, blue, green or another colour.
- You want to group transport as walk, car, bus or bike. What could you ask?
- A question asks for a favourite fruit. Is train a fruit answer?
- A child likes yellow, but your list has only red and blue. How can you include the answer fairly?
- Should you ask Is blue the best colour, so choose blue? Explain.
- Choose a simple class question and name three possible answer groups.
Read the worked solutions
- Write a question with answers that could be red, blue, green or another colour.
The question asks about one colour choice.
For example, Which colour do you like best? - You want to group transport as walk, car, bus or bike. What could you ask?
The question matches the transport groups.
For example, How did you travel to school today? - A question asks for a favourite fruit. Is train a fruit answer?
The answer should belong to the fruit category or a matching Other group.
No. - A child likes yellow, but your list has only red and blue. How can you include the answer fairly?
Do not replace the child's choice with a different colour.
Add yellow or an Other group. - Should you ask Is blue the best colour, so choose blue? Explain.
That wording pushes people towards one answer.
No. - Choose a simple class question and name three possible answer groups.
Check the groups all answer the same question.
Answers vary, such as favourite play activity with drawing, blocks and reading.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 categorical questions, response collection, lists, one-to-one displays and comparison of frequencies.
Official curriculum source ↗