A good CCQ should/shouldn’t use the target language to check itself when it’s a tense or structure. E.g., “He managed to cross the river.” Did he manage to cross the river?

A good CCQ should/shouldn’t become a guessing game. E.g., He bought an alarm clock. “Did he buy a phone? A watch? A computer?”

A good CCQ should/shouldn't check the target language and something else in the sentence. E.g., He’s just bought a new car.” Did he buy a new bicycle? Did he buy a new van?

A good CCQ should/shouldn't focus on the meaning of the idioms/phrasal verbs/functional exponents/fixed phrases as a whole. “Tim went to the pub to drown his sorrows.” What happens when you drown?

A good CCQ should/shouldn't be graded so that the language in the question is simple.

A good CCQ should/shouldn’t elicit a definition. E.g., “What’s irony?”

A good CCQ should/shouldn't have clear answers (which you need to plan – think about whether Ss can realistically give you those answers; if not, simplify the questions)

A good CCQ should/shouldn’t check just the form and pronunciation. E.g., “I’m sorry I’m late,” he mumbled. Is mumble a verb or a noun?

A good CCQ should/shouldn't cover all areas of the concept, including what Ss might confuse it with

A good CCQ should/shouldn't be asked after you convey meaning. “So, we have this word jentacular. Do you have a pre-jentacular or post-jentacular walk in the morning?”