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Blank’s levels of questioning
- 1-5 Years
- 5-11 Years
- 11-19 Years
- SEND
- Speech, language and communication
Blank’s levels of questioning is a technique used to help children with their verbal reasoning and abstract language skills. It is also known as ‘language of learning’ model, Blank’s Levels or Blank's Questions.
Blank's levels of questioning can be used to:
- assess the level of abstract language the child can understand
- help you to pick right the words so that the child can understand
- help the child develop abstract reasoning skills such as 'what might happen next?'
- set appropriate language targets
Parents and carers can use this information at home to support their child. Education staff can also use this information with children in their school or setting.
Please try these ideas and advice before making a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service.
The 4 levels of questioning
Blank’s levels puts questions and directions into 4 levels. It starts at Level 1 with basic questions that ask for simple responses. As you go up the levels, the questions get harder and more complicated and that require abstract answers.
Level 1
Blank’s level 1 focuses on naming objects. You will be asking the child about objects that are or were in front of them. The child may not say a lot and may point instead of speaking. Encourage the child to give a short response or complete a command.
Level 2
Blank’s level 2 focuses on describing objects. You will be asking the child about things that are directly in front of them. They will be able to describe a object by talking about what it looks like or what it does. These questions will encourage them to think about the object or environment in more detail.
Level 3
Blank’s level 3 focuses on encouraging the child to think about objects and what may happen. This is when the child should begin telling stories, sequencing events, making predictions and defining words.
Level 4
Blank’s level 4 focuses on reasoning. You will be asking questions that encourage the child to talk about cause and effect. They will be able to answer questions using what they know from past experiences and what they learned from other places. Answering these questions accurately will require problem-solving skills. The answer will not be in front of the child.
Types of questions to use
When using the Blank's levels of questioning framework, there are different types of questions that can be used to help you get a response. These will change and become more complex as the child moves up through the levels.
Example of Blank's levels of questioning being used
Top tips
Along with the strategies to support understanding of language, we recommend:
- asking easier questions if your child does not understand
- introducing new vocabulary at level 1
- offering choices if your child is stuck
- modelling longer answers to help scaffolding
- relating back to previous experiences
- acknowledging a variety of responses and encouraging them to have a go
Remember, a child will find it easier to learn language when you comment rather than question. For every 1 question that you ask, try to make 4 comments. This will model the correct answers to the child. For example, "Can you find the tractor? Look I have a tractor. The tractor can pull the trailer. There's a car! That's another vehicle. The tractor is big and blue."
Using Blank's questions during everyday activities
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Last reviewed: 24 November, 2025
