General Understanding:
* What is the main conflict of the story? (What problem does the protagonist face?)
* What are the major events of the story? (What happens, in order, to move the plot forward?)
* How does the story begin and end? (What is the exposition and resolution?)
Character Focus:
* What is the protagonist's goal? (What does the protagonist want to achieve?)
* How does the protagonist change over the course of the story? (What are their challenges and how do they overcome them?)
* What obstacles do the characters face? (What challenges stand between them and their goals?)
Theme and Symbolism:
* What is the story trying to teach us? (What is the moral of the story?)
* Are there any recurring symbols or motifs? (What do these symbols represent?)
* What is the author's message about the world? (What does the author want to convey about human nature, society, or the universe?)
Specific to Different Genres:
* Mystery: Who is the culprit? How does the detective solve the crime?
* Romance: What obstacles do the lovers face? How do they overcome them?
* Science Fiction: What is the future world like? What is the protagonist's role in this world?
* Fantasy: What are the magical elements? How do they impact the story?
Ultimately, the best question to ask is one that sparks your curiosity about the story and encourages you to pay attention to its details.