A technique for answering questions includes receiving a question directed to a first subject. A mathematical operation is performed between each of one or more first topic vectors (associated with the first subject) and each of one or more second topic vectors (associated with a second subject) to generate respective strength values. Relevant ones of the respective strength values are summed to provide an overall strength value, which is utilized to determine a semantic distance (SD) between the first subject and the second subject. In response to the SD being within a threshold distance value (TDV), information associated with the first subject and the second subject is utilized to answer the question. In response to the SD not being within the TDV, information associated with the first subject is utilized to answer the question.