The inquiry, "What time did you and your wife leave the restaurant?" is an example of which type of inquiry?

The inquiry "What time did you and your wife leave the restaurant?" is classified as a direct inquiry because it seeks a specific piece of information from the respondent. Direct inquiries are straightforward and require a clear, factual answer, allowing the interviewer to gather precise details without ambiguity. The formulation of the question indicates that it expects an explicit response regarding a particular event, in this case, the time of departure from the restaurant.

In contrast, other types of inquiries, such as open inquiries, allow for broader responses and often involve exploring opinions or feelings rather than seeking a specific fact. Indirect inquiries would imply a question that doesn't ask for information directly or might suggest a secondary line of questioning that leads to the desired information. Hypothetical inquiries involve scenarios that ask respondents to speculate about possible situations or outcomes, which is not present in the question asked. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of direct inquiries clarifies why this particular question fits the definition.