Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice

What is a characteristic of leading questions?

1. They present a balanced viewpoint.

2. They suggest a particular answer.

3. They require detailed explanations.

4. They limit the respondent’s freedom significantly.

The correct answer is: They suggest a particular answer.

Leading questions are designed to suggest a particular answer, guiding the respondent toward a specific response rather than allowing them to answer freely or express their viewpoint. This characteristic helps attorneys and paralegals when they want to elicit specific information or confirm a fact that aligns with their case strategy. In contrast, questions that present a balanced viewpoint do not steer the respondent in direction of a particular answer, which is the opposite of what leading questions do. Questions that require detailed explanations encourage the respondent to elaborate, whereas leading questions typically aim for short or straightforward confirmations. Finally, while leading questions can limit how a respondent answers, they do not significantly restrict freedom in the same way that closed questions might, which often require a "yes" or "no" answer. Thus, the defining trait of leading questions is their ability to suggest a desired answer.