QAR

A reading-comprehension framework distinguishing four types of questions by where the answer lives. Right There, Think and Search, Author and Me, On My Own. Students classify comprehension questions into these types — a critical skill for inferential reading.

The Four Question Types

In the Text

Type	Where the answer is
Right There	Answer is directly stated in one sentence.
Think and Search	Answer is in the text but requires combining information from multiple places.

In My Head

Type	Where the answer is
Author and Me	Answer requires connecting what the text says with my own reasoning / prior knowledge.
On My Own	The text sparks the question, but the answer is entirely from my experience.

Procedure

1. Read a short text together.
2. Give students 8 comprehension questions on the text.
3. Students classify each question into one of the four QAR types before answering.
4. Pair check: do pairs agree on classification?
5. Answer each question. Notice how the answer-finding process differs by type.
6. Discuss: which type gave students the most trouble? Why?

Sample Questions Classified

Text: An article about wolves.

1. How many wolves typically live in a pack? → Right There (stated explicitly)
2. What factors affect wolf pack size? → Think and Search (gathering from multiple sentences)
3. Based on the article, why might wolf packs face challenges today? → Author and Me (the text implies but requires reasoning)
4. Do you think wolves should be protected? Why? → On My Own (opinion, sparked by text)

Why It Works

• Makes comprehension visible: what makes a question hard isn't the question itself but what kind of thinking it demands.
• Addresses a reading failure mode: learners who treat every question as "find in text" fail on inferential items.
• Exam prep: all major reading tests (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) mix QAR types. Classifying before answering is strategic.
• Teaches inference explicitly: "Author and Me" questions are where inference lives.

Variations

• Student-generated QAR questions: after reading a text, students write one question of each type.
• QAR-sorted review: take past exam questions; sort into QAR types. Reveals test patterns.
• Reciprocal QAR: in groups, each student asks one question of a different type.
• Simplified 2-type version: In the Text vs In My Head. Better entry for lower levels.

Tips

• Introduce the four types explicitly. Learners don't discover them; they need the framework taught.
• Start with obvious examples, then move to borderline.
• Some questions fit two categories. Discuss — this is often where learning happens.
• Great follow-up to Reciprocal Teaching and Close Reading Annotation.

Source

Raphael, T. (1982) Question-answering strategies for children. The Reading Teacher. Raphael, T. & Au, K. (2005) QAR: Enhancing comprehension and test-taking across grades and content areas. The Reading Teacher.