Here's a breakdown:
What makes a question contextual?
* Relates to a specific piece of information: The question is tied to a particular text, image, scenario, or event.
* Requires understanding the context: To answer the question, you need to understand the surrounding information, the situation, or the overall meaning.
* Cannot be answered without the context: The question doesn't make sense or has a different meaning outside of its specific context.
Examples:
* Textual context:
* "What is the main idea of this paragraph?" (The answer depends on the specific paragraph's content.)
* "Why did the character decide to leave?" (Requires understanding the character's motivations and the story's events.)
* Visual context:
* "What is happening in this picture?" (The answer depends on the image's content and visual cues.)
* "What is the message of this advertisement?" (Requires analyzing the visuals and the overall message conveyed.)
* Real-world context:
* "Why did the stock market crash in 2008?" (Requires understanding the economic conditions and events leading to the crash.)
* "What are the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence?" (Requires considering the context of AI development and its potential impacts.)
In contrast, non-contextual questions:
* Can be answered without any specific information.
* Are general in nature and don't rely on specific details.
* Can be answered based on general knowledge or common sense.
Examples:
* What is the capital of France?
* How many days are there in a week?
* What is the color of the sky?
Importance of contextual questions:
Contextual questions are crucial for:
* Deep understanding: They encourage critical thinking and a deeper analysis of information.
* Meaningful discussions: They spark conversations and help people share different perspectives.
* Real-world application: They help us connect information to real-life situations and make informed decisions.
Overall, contextual questions are important tools for learning, communication, and problem-solving. They help us go beyond surface-level understanding and engage with information in a meaningful way.