An instructor who does not wish to personally respond to a direct question may redirect it to another class member. This is referred to as a ____ question.

• A. Open
• B. Relay
• C. Leading
• D. Cold

Answer: (B)

Redirecting a question to another student is a relay question. This is a teaching move where the instructor doesn’t answer directly but passes the question along to a class member to respond, often to involve peers, check understanding, or keep discussion moving. It differs from asking an open question, which invites any response from anyone, a leading question, which nudges toward a specific answer, or a cold question, which is asked without context or prior discussion. In a fire safety education setting, using relay questions helps engage the group, gives everyone a chance to participate, and encourages peer-to-peer learning.