We aren't just making small talk. We don't just want social answers. For that matter, we don't just want answers. We don't ask questions to get the right answer, we ask question to get the client to discover something new or see things differently. The important part is what the client is doing between questions.
Processing goes in a rhythm of introversion and extroversion.
We put the client's attention inside on something in herself. She perceives what it is and then she puts her attention outside to some degree in order to tell the facilitator. The facilitator lets her know that her communication was received. Then the facilitator again says or does something to get the client to get more material from inside herself. And so forth.