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I am wondering if there is a word that characterizes this specific type of question.

Given this series of questions, it would be understood that one must continue answering if the answer is no, or stop once the answer is yes.

Example (the question type would imply the parenthetical instructions):

  • Can you do A? (If no, proceed. If yes, stop.)
  • (If no,) Can you do B? (If no, proceed. If yes, stop.)
  • (If no,) Can you do C? (If no, proceed. If yes, stop.)

The following is a [TYPE] question:

  • In forum X, can I post a message about jobs?
  • In forum X, can I post a message asking about forums where I can post about jobs?
  • Can I get some information about a forum where I can post a message about jobs?
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  • Perhaps you might consider This is a terminal question But I don't think anyone would understand what that meant without explanation. I'm not sure there is any such single word that would be universally interpreted the way you wish. – Jim Dec 14 '13 at 9:19
  • This reminds me of the term "drilldown questionnaire". But the term drilldown cannot be found in any dictionaries that I know of. – Damkerng T. Dec 14 '13 at 10:41
  • A Heuristic question? – Autoresponder Dec 14 '13 at 13:07
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    It's a switch statement. – John Lawler Dec 14 '13 at 16:13
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    @Susan excellent editing. I am impressed! Thank you – IberoMedia Dec 15 '13 at 1:54
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I could not find a word describing this type of question. When I see these, they are usually preceded by an explanation, such as, continue to answer until you reach a question whose answer is "yes".

Sometimes each question has a direction: "If no, proceed to next question."

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How about a conditional or disjunctive question?

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These are often referred to as branching questions.

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