Open-Ended Questions

Here are some questions to help jump-start your mind. 

*Always assume there is a "Why?" and/or an "Explain." after every question; remember, you have to fill four pages, front and back.

1. How would you describe yourself - appearance and personality - to someone who doesn't know you?
2. Are you involved in any organizations or clubs?  What interested you in them?  If you aren't, are you considering joining one in the near future?
3. What type of student are you?  How do you participate in class?  What are your study habits?
4. Have you ever given your word to someone but then didn't follow through? How do you regain a person's trust when you have let that person down?
5. Write about some things that confuse you or that you don't understand.
6. Write about some of your favorite movies.  Write about some of your favorite actors.  Why do you like them?
7. Are  you open-minded to other people's opinions?  Do you listen to all sides before you respond?  Are you slow or quick to make a decision?  Are you mentally flexible?
8. Do you usually say what you really feel or what you believe people want to hear?  Why?
9. What do you like to daydream about?
10. Continue the following:  "You don't know how difficult it was when..."
11. Everyone has habits.  Write about a few of yours, good and bad.
12. Everyone has a special talent, something they do easily or well.  Write about your special talent and how you are developing it.
13. If you could start today over, what would you do differently?
14. Continue the following:  "I'm the luckiest person in the world because..."
15. How does your family celebrate the holidays?  Write about holiday memories from when you were young.
16. Write about the memories that come to mind when you think about these phrases: "The laughter of friends," and "Some occasions I won't forget."
17. Continue the following: "Some things I wish my parents knew about me are..."
18. Describe a time when you felt sorry for someone.
19. When you talk to people do you look them in the eyes?  How do you feel when people speak to you and they don't look directly at you?
20. If you are having a bad day, what cheers you up?  If one of your friends is feeling down, how do you help him or her through it?
21. What compliments have you received?  Who said them, and how did they make you feel?
22. Name a few of your most prized possessions.  Why do they mean so much to you?
23. If you could plan your birthday, what would you do?  When you think back over all the birthdays you have celebrated, are there a few that stand out in your memory?  Why?
24. Would you always want to be the same age you are right now?  Why or why not?  What do you think is the best age to be?
25. Every household has rules.  Name a few that you would like to change and the reasons why.
26. Now that I am older, these are the things I've learned about school, about family, about love, about life.
27. Write about a few of your most embarrassing moments.  How did you get over them?
28. Continue the following: "Some of the things I wish for lately more than anything are..."
29. If you could look ahead five years, what do you think you would see?  How do you think your life would be different?
30. What is the hardest thing about growing up?  What is the best thing?  Write about what you have learned over the past year.  How have you changed or grown as a person?
31. If you could choose to live during any time period would you live in the future, in the past, or right now?  Why do you think this would be the best time for you?
32. What are the things that matter the most to you right now in your life?
33. Write about peer pressure.  How often do you notice it and how do you deal with it?
34. Write about an event that you have heard about recently, either on the news, from a family member, or at school, that affected you in some way, good or bad.
35. What do you like to do to relax?  How do you like to spend your free time?
36. If you could change three things about yourself, whether they were part of your appearance, personality, or something else, what would they be and why?  How would you go about making these changes?
37. What are you looking forward to tomorrow, this week, this month, and this year?
38. What time of year do you like best?  Why?
39. When you look in the mirror, what good things do you see?
40. What is your favorite smell, sound, color?  Why do you like them?  Of what do they remind you?
41. Have you ever been blamed for something you didn't do, or has someone ever taken credit for something you did?  How did you feel?  How did those things turn out?
42. Suppose you are working on a project and no matter what you do, it won't work out right.  Would you keep trying, take a break and try again later, ask for help, or give up?
43. Describe your family.  Do you get along with your brothers and sisters?  Or are you an only child?
44. Do you play any sports?  What do you like about them?  Or do you prefer to the be the spectator, cheering on the team?  How do you give your support?
45. Do you offer your help around the house?  Does everyone do their part?
46. Write about some teachers that have made a difference for you and why.
47. At lunchtime, do you hang out with friends or spend time alone?  Do you pack a lunch or buy lunch?
48. Do you consider yourself lucky?  Name some occasions when luck has favored you.  Do you own something that you thin is lucky?  Write about why you think it is.
49. Which takes more courage: Telling the truth, or telling a lie?  Why do you feel this way?
50. When you want some quiet time alone, to think, where do you go?  Why is it a special place?
51. Continue the following: "Today started out like any other day, but then..."
52. Do you stand up to people who treat you badly?  Write about some things that have happened and how you have dealt with them.
53. Can you tell by looking at someone whether they are friendly or intelligent or if they have the same interests as you?  Explain.  How long does it take you to get to know someone?
54. What do you think about when you look at the stars?
55. What do you parents do for a living?  Ask your parents what they would choose if they could choose any job.  What advice would they give you about deciding on a career?
56. Write about your saddest day and how you made it through that difficult time.
57. Write down some of your favorite lyrics.  How does listening to your favorite music make you feel?
58. Words are changing all the time, and people are always making up new phrases.  Write down a few of the popular expressions or words you and your friends use and include their meanings.
59. What career or careers have you been thinking about?  Why do these jobs appeal to you?  Are you planning to go to college or a trade school or will you go right into the work force?  What steps are you taking to prepare?
60. What is your outlook on life?  Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist?  Why do you feel this way?
61. Why do you think your friends enjoy being with you?  What makes your friends feel comfortable about being around you?
62. Write about your best qualities and strengths.
63. If your parents were gone for a month or so and you were on your own, how would you spend your days?
64. Are you a good listener?  Do you let people finish their sentences, or do you jump in and start talking?
65. Write about things your parents have done that surprised you.
66. Do you consider yourself to be outgoing or quiet and reflective?
67. Do you see your relatives - aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins - often?  If so, write about memories from your visits.  If not, how do you stay in touch?
68. What makes you happy?
69. What do you think are the three main problems in the world right now?  Do you see the solution to them?  If it was up to you, how would you change the world?
70. Make a list of things you want to accomplish during your lifetime.
71. If you could pick out any car, what would you choose?
72. If you opened your mailbox and inside there was a check made out to you for one million dollars, how would you use the money?
73. Is there someone you know whom you can trust to tell your innermost thoughts?  Someone that won't spread them around?  Who is that person?
74. Do you have a pet?  If so, what do you like most or least about him or her?  If not, what would your perfect pet be?
75. What are your fears?
76. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
77. Have you ever lost someone close to you?  Write about your feelings and memories.  Why was this person special to you?
78. What do you think the world will be like in the year 2050?
79. Is there someone you know whose smile makes you feel good?  Who is it?  How did you meet?  How long have you known each other?
80. Do you consider yourself a trendsetter or a trend spotter, a leader or a follower? Why do you feel this way?
81. What is the most meaningful and important hug you ever remember?  What feelings come to mind when you think about that hug?
82. What have you learned about being a friend?  Describe some of your friends: How do you complement each other?
83. If you could own your own business, what would it be?
84. How do you convince your parents to let you try something that you have never done before?  Describe a few occasions when you were allowed to do something for the first time.  What were they and how did you feel?
85. Describe some of the funniest things that have every happened to you.
86. Do you take suggestions easily or do you get defensive?  How do you react?
87. What is your favorite book?  Why do you like it?  Name a few of your other favorite books.
88. Think back over the years and write about some things your parents have taught you that you will always carry with you.
89. What do you like or dislike about your room?  If you could redesign your room, where would you start?
90. Write about something that you enjoy doing.  How did you get interested in it?  Why do you like it so much?
91. Write about someone you look up to: a friend, a relative, or a famous person.  What qualities do you admire in this person?  Name a few others you admire.
92. How do you feel about your generation?  Write about some of the challenges you and other teens are facing today.
93. Where would you like to go on vacation this year?  Why do you want to go their?
94. Make a list of things you are thankful for and explain why you are thankful.
95. If you could travel through time, would you want to go forward or back?  Why?
96. If you could have dinner with any living person, who would it be?  Why?  Would you want to go out, or would you prepare the meal yourself?
97. If you could meet any person in the world, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be?  Why?  What would you talk about or do?
98. Would you rather be banned from ever setting foot in New Jersey again, or never be allowed to leave New Jersey again?  Why?
99. If money and legality were not obstacles, and you were allowed to do anything you wanted after leaving school today, what would you do?
100. Do you think life is greatly different for teenagers now than it was 30 years ago?  50 years?  100 years?