Problem: What type of thing is the question "What became the biggest cash crop in the U.S. in 1983 , surpassing corn ?" asking about?
Answer: entity

Problem: What type of thing is the question "What are all the southern states of the U.S. ?" asking about?
Answer: location

Problem: What type of thing is the question "Where did surfing originate ?" asking about?
Answer:
location