An interesting thing about the answer group is that the generic term has a somewhat strong rival in reply, itself fairly inclusive.  We must therefore discriminate rather fully between answer and reply.  The former is a return in words to a question, a communication, or an argument.  The latter suggests a more or less formal answer, as one carefully prepared or intelligently thought out.  We might give an answer offhand, but are less likely to give a reply so.  We may give any kind of answer to a question, but if we give a reply, the implication is that we have answered it definitely, perhaps satisfactorily.  On the other hand, in controversial matters we may, though we by no means always do, imply a more conclusive meeting of objections through answer than through reply.  A response is an expected answer, one in harmony with the question or assertion, or in some way carrying the thought farther.  A rejoinder is a quick reply to something controversial or calling forth opposition.  A retort is a short, sharp reply, such as turns back censure or derision, or as springs from anger.  A repartee is an immediate and witty reply, perhaps to a remark of similar character which it is intended to surpass in cleverness.

Sentences:  The detailed ____ to our letter should reach us within a
week.  The plays of Oscar Wilde abound in brilliant ____.  The speaker’s
____ to the heckler was incisive and scathing.  My ____ to that third
question in the examination in history was incorrect.  The congregation
read the ____ in unison.  You have enumerated objections to my course; here
is their ____.  “This is no ____, thou unfeeling man.  To excuse the current
of thy cruelty.”  There was silence throughout the chamber as the old
statesman rose to make his ____.  To the tenderfoot’s remark the guide
mumbled an indifferent ____.  Our appeal for the sufferers elicited but a
poor ____.

Ask, inquire, question, interrogate, interpellate, query, quiz, catechize, request, beg, solicit, entreat, beseech, crave, implore, supplicate, importune, petition.

From the general tree of asking grow many branches, different in size, in the direction they take, in the shades of meaning they cast.  What can we learn from a rapid scrutiny of each?  That to inquire is to ask for specific information.  That to question is to keep asking in order to obtain detailed or reluctantly given information.  That to interrogate is to question formally, systematically, or thoroughly.  That to interpellate is to question as of unchallenged right, as in a deliberative body.  That to query is to bring a thing into question because of doubt as to its correctness or truth.  That to quizis to question closely and persistently, as from meddlesomeness, opposition, or curiosity.  That to catechize is to question in a minute, perhaps impertinent,