Is there an objection to the question: 'Ms. White, tell the Court about the day the old woman with the magic apple came to the door'?

Is there an objection to the question: 'Ms. White, tell the Court about the day the old woman with the magic apple came to the door'?

• A. Yes — Objection narrative question
• B. No — Not objection
• C. Yes — Objection leading question
• D. Yes — Objection to speculation

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is keeping direct testimony focused on specific facts rather than inviting a long, narrative recount. “Tell the Court about…” pushes the witness to give a broad story of the day, which can lead to rambling or irrelevant details and makes it harder to extract concise, relevant facts on direct examination. That kind of broad, storytelling prompt is what judges and lawyers worry about with narrative questions, so the proper objection is that the question is a narrative question. It isn’t about leading the witness or about speculation—the question simply asks for a broad recount, which you want to avoid in direct examination. If needed, you’d rephrase to targeted questions like what the witness saw or did on that day, where she was, and what events occurred, to keep the testimony specific and helpful.

The main idea tested is keeping direct testimony focused on specific facts rather than inviting a long, narrative recount. “Tell the Court about…” pushes the witness to give a broad story of the day, which can lead to rambling or irrelevant details and makes it harder to extract concise, relevant facts on direct examination. That kind of broad, storytelling prompt is what judges and lawyers worry about with narrative questions, so the proper objection is that the question is a narrative question. It isn’t about leading the witness or about speculation—the question simply asks for a broad recount, which you want to avoid in direct examination. If needed, you’d rephrase to targeted questions like what the witness saw or did on that day, where she was, and what events occurred, to keep the testimony specific and helpful.