120 Closed-Ended Questions | ConversationStarter.com

Closed-ended questions are a simple yet powerful way to gather specific information quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re conducting a survey, holding an interview, or simply trying to get to the point during a conversation, these questions are designed to provide clear, concise answers. By narrowing down responses to fixed options, they help you collect data that’s easy to analyze and compare, making them essential in everything from research to casual chats.

Here, we’ll explore what makes a question “closed-ended,” when to use them, and how they differ from open-ended questions. You’ll also find plenty of examples to help you incorporate them into your conversations with ease.

What Are Closed-Ended Questions?

Closed-ended questions are those that can be answered with short, fixed responses such as “yes,” “no,” or a specific piece of information like a date, color, or number. They don’t encourage elaboration but are ideal for situations where you need quick and straightforward answers. For example, a question like “Did you enjoy the movie?” only requires a simple yes or no, while “How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?” has a defined numeric answer.

These questions are commonly used in surveys, quizzes, and interviews because they produce data that’s easy to measure, analyze, and graph. While they don’t provide detailed insights like open-ended questions, they’re perfect for collecting data in large quantities or when clarity and speed are key.

Closed-Ended Question Examples

Here are some examples of closed-ended questions to give you a better understanding of how they work:

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Have you ever traveled outside your country?
What year did you graduate from high school?
Is the Earth round?
How many siblings do you have?

As you can see, closed-ended questions can be simple or complex, but their defining feature is that they lead to direct, fixed responses. They’re especially useful when you want clear answers without lengthy explanations.

List of Closed-Ended Questions

Do you believe good luck charms have any real power, or are they just symbolic?
What history topic captivated you the most in school?
Which social media platform do you check the most often, and why?
How satisfied are you with the place you currently live?
Is there a company you can’t stand, and what’s the reason behind it?
Do you think humanity will encounter extraterrestrial life within our lifetime?
Have you ever experienced the thrill of skydiving or considered it?
What hobby takes up most of your free time?
How often do you stick to your dental routine?
Which sport do you find yourself watching the most, if any?
Are you a fan of Pina Coladas, or do you prefer a different tropical drink?
Do you enjoy the feeling of getting caught in the rain, or do you run for cover?
What’s the most absurd opposite you can think of for a penguin?
Are you currently registered as an organ donor?
Do you think you have good cooking skills, or do you prefer takeout?
How happy are you living in your current city or neighborhood?
What possession holds the most sentimental value for you?
Would you describe yourself as laid-back or more structured?
What’s a bad habit you wish you could break?
How much free time do you usually have on a weekday?
Do you think humans will establish permanent colonies on other planets within the next century?
Have you ever been curious enough to peek inside someone’s bathroom drawers?
What emotion seems to dominate your daily life the most?
How many cups of coffee fuel your day?
Would you consider yourself someone who thrives on setting and achieving goals?
Which grocery store is your go-to for weekly shopping?
Do you believe intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe?
Are podcasts part of your daily or weekly routine?
Which superhero would you say is your all-time favorite?
How many books do you typically read in a year?
How often do you indulge in soda during an average week?
Do you feel more at home at large parties or small gatherings?
Are you someone who recharges alone (an introvert) or thrives in social settings (an extrovert)?
Do you think the future holds more promise or more challenges compared to now?
Have you ever received a speeding ticket, and how did it happen?
Is wearing a watch part of your daily wardrobe?
Can you wiggle your ears, or is that skill out of reach?
If your country needed you as a leader, would you step up to the role?
Do you play any musical instruments regularly, or have you in the past?
Are you planning any international travel within the next year?
At what age do you hope to retire, if you had control over it?
Compared to others, do you feel you experience more or less stress daily?
Would you consider yourself a good-hearted person overall?
Have you ever changed your car’s oil by yourself, or do you leave that to mechanics?
How many hours per day do you usually spend looking at screens?
What’s the funniest word you can think of that always makes you laugh?
What’s your go-to type of cuisine when you’re craving something tasty?
Should selling organs for transplantation be legal or remain strictly regulated?
Are you good at fixing things around the house when something breaks?
Do you currently own a car or prefer other transportation methods?
Have you ever volunteered your time to help a charity or community project?
Do you prefer a peaceful walk through the woods or a relaxing day on the beach?
Which country’s history fascinates you the most, and why?
Do you have a favorite key on the keyboard (maybe for shortcuts or gaming)?
How many movies do you typically watch in an average week?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how corrupt do you think your government is?
How do you prefer your toilet paper: unrolling from the top or the bottom?
Can you swim confidently, or are you still learning?
Are you taller than both your parents, or do you take after them in height?
Have you ever dyed your hair a different color, even temporarily?
Have you ever broken a bone, and what was the story behind it?
Do you believe free will exists, or is it just an illusion?
What’s the most effective action someone can take to improve their life?
Are you more of a risk-taker or someone who prefers to play it safe?
Do you currently have a full-time or part-time job, or are you pursuing something else?
In your opinion, which news source is the least biased?
At what age do you believe people are mature enough to make major life decisions on their own?
How many siblings do you have, and are you close with them?
What’s the most used app on your phone, and why is it so essential to you?
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor, and does it hold any special meaning?
Have you ever walked into something while distracted by your phone?
What year were you born, and what’s one cultural event that stands out from your birth decade?
Would you call yourself an optimist (cup half full) or a pessimist (cup half empty)?
Which holiday do you anticipate the most each year?
What’s your greatest fear, and how do you cope with it?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Are you more active and energized at night or in the morning?
Do you believe animals experience emotions in a way that’s similar to humans?
Is singing in the shower part of your daily routine?
How many days a week do you typically exercise?
Who had the biggest role in raising you during your childhood?
Did you vote in the last major election, and why or why not?
Who’s the most important person in your life, and how have they impacted you?
Are road trips something you enjoy or something you dread?
Which programming languages, if any, have you learned or used?
Have you ever tried surfing, and how did it go?
How many languages can you speak conversationally, even if not fluently?
When was the last time you went camping, and what did you enjoy most about it?
Would you be interested in someone writing a biography of your life?
How did you feel about your hometown when you were growing up?
Do you think luck is something some people are born with, or is it all about mindset?
How long does it take you to commute to work, and how do you spend that time?
How many pets do you currently have, and what are they like?
Do you prefer a long soak in the bathtub or a quick, refreshing shower?
Have you traveled outside your home country, and where did you go?
What’s your favorite genre of books, and what makes it so enjoyable for you?
Where did you first meet your best friend, and how did you become close?
If grass could be any other color, what would you want it to be?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how creative do you think you are?
Overall, do you think your country is improving or declining?
Have you ever traveled to a different continent, and how did the experience impact you?
Do you start your morning with coffee, tea, or something else entirely?
Have you ever gone skydiving or bungee jumping, and would you do it again?
Did you have a favorite toy or stuffed animal as a child?
Have you ever run in a marathon, or is it on your bucket list?
Do you prefer cooking meals at home or dining out?
Have you volunteered for a cause recently, and what did you do?
For vacations, do you lean toward beach destinations or mountain getaways?
Have you ever ridden a motorcycle, or is it something you want to try?
Do you have a favorite board game, and why is it your go-to?
Have you ever been on a cruise, and how did you like it?
Is there a holiday you always look forward to celebrating?
Have you ever visited a casino, and did you try your luck?
Have you ever practiced meditation, and has it helped you in any way?
Do you enjoy winter sports and activities, or are you more of a summer adventurer?
Have you taken a cooking class, and what dish did you learn to make?
Have you ever tried rock climbing, and was it indoors or outdoors?
Have you ridden a horse along the beach, or is that on your dream list?
Do you prefer experiencing live concerts or listening to albums at home?
Have you ever attended a silent disco, and how was the experience?
For leisure reading, do you gravitate more toward fiction or nonfiction books?

Table of Contents

What Are Closed-Ended Questions?

Closed-Ended Question Examples

List of Closed-Ended Questions