Costa’s 3 Levels of QuestionsLevel 1:The answer can be found in the text, either directly or indirectly. This type of question is very concrete and pertains only to the text. It asks for facts about what has been heard or read. Information is recalled in the exact manner or form it was heard

Level One Signal Words:Define - to set forth the meaning ofDescribe - to represent or give an account in wordsIdentify - to establish the identity of List - a simple series of words or numbersName - to mention or identify by nameObserve - to see or sense esp. through careful attentionRecite - to repeat verbatimScan - to examine closely

Level 2:The answer can be inferred from the text. This type of question, although more abstract than a Level One question, deals only with the text. Information can be broken down into parts. It involves examining in detail, analyzing motives or causes, making inferences, finding information to support generalizations or decision-making. Questions combine information in a new way.

Level Two Signal Words:Analyze - to make an analysis of, an examination of a thing to know its partsCompare - to examine for likenesses and differencesContrast - to show differences when comparedGroup - to clusterInfer - to derive as a conclusion from facts or premisesSequence - chronological order of eventsSynthesize - the combination of parts or elements into a whole

Level 3:The answer goes beyond the text. This type of question is abstract and does not pertain to the text. These questions ask that judgments be made from information. They also give opinions about issues, judge the validity of ideas or other products and justify opinions and ideas.

Level Three Signal Words:Apply - to put to practical useEvaluate - appraise, valueHypothesize - to adopt as a hypothesis/assumptionImagine - to form a mental picture of something not present; guessJudge - to form an estimate or evaluation about something. DeducePredict - to declare in advanceSpeculate - to think or wonder about a subject