A compound question is one that actually asks several things which might require different answers. In a trial, a compound question will likely raise an objection, as the witness may be unable to provide a clear answer to the inquiry. For example, if the attorney cross-examining the witness were to ask, "isn't it true that you murdered your neighbor, then went home and baked a pie which you donated to the Girl Scouts bake sale?", the question could not be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" if only parts of it were true - if, for example, the witness had murdered his neighbor and donated the pie, but had not baked the pie (or had baked it before the murder). A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard. ... In law and in religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter. ... This article is about witnesses in law courts. ...