This type of question allows the respondents to choose one criteria in the head of the column, on the basis of which respondents then evaluate the items or topics, that are located on the left. This type of question is most convenient way to display questions, where different topics have the same possible answers.
As an example of such question, take satisfaction with a website. That way the developers of a website can have an insight into the user's satisfaction with form, usability, speed... For the same effect, without this type of question, three individual question of 'Categories - One response' would be required, which would make it more difficult for the survey's author as well as in the later analysis.