Transcript Writing Objective Questions 1

Writing Objective Questions
Hugh Davis
Chris Havill
The National CAA Centre at Luton
The Anatomy of an MCQ
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Stem
Options
Key (correct answer)
Distracters
And Don’t forget
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Multiple Response
Numeric Answer
Text Answer
Hot Spot
True/False
Writing Stems:
Present a single, definite statement to be
completed or answered by one of the several
given choices
A Weak Question
A 4 bit binary counter:
a) Doesn’t have 4 flip-flops
b) Has a maximum modulus of 8
c) Has a maximum modulus of 16
d) Has a terminal count of 15
Improved question:
A 4 bit binary counter has a maximum modulus
of
a) 4
b) 8
c) 15
d) 16
e) 32
Avoid unnecessary and irrelevant
material
Weak Question
A full adder can be constructed from two half
adders and an OR gate, or with XOR and
NAND gates. If you were to feed in the binary
number 110 into such a device, the result
would be:
a) Sum=0, carry=0
b) Sum=0, carry=1
c) Sum=1, carry=0
d) Sum=1, carry=1
Improved Question
The binary number 110 is fed into a full-adder,
the result would be:
a) Sum=0, carry=0
b) Sum=0, carry=1
c) Sum=1, carry=0
d) Sum=1, carry=1
Use clear, straightforward language
in the stem of the item
not a test of reading comprehension
Weak question
As the level of fertility approaches its nadir, what is the most
likely ramification for the citizenry of a developing nation?
1. a decrease in the labour force participation rate of women
2. a dispersing effect on population concentration
3. a downward trend in the youth dependency ratio
4. a broader base in the population pyramid
5. an increased infant mortality rate
Improved Question
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A major decline in fertility in a developing
nation is likely to produce
a. a decrease in the labour force
participation rate of women
b. a dispersing effect on population
concentration
c. a downward trend in the youth
dependency ratio
d. a broader base in the population pyramid
e. an increased infant mortality rate
Use negatives sparingly.
If negatives must be used, capitalize, underscore, embolden or
otherwise highlight
Weak question
Which of the following is not a symptom of
osteoporosis?
a. decreased bone density
b. frequent bone fractures
c. raised body temperature
d. lower back pain
Improved question
Which of the following is a symptom of
osteoporosis?
a. decreased bone density
b. raised body temperature
c. hair loss
d. painful joints
Put as much of the question in the
stem as possible, rather than
duplicating material.
 Weak question
Calculate the voltage VX.
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3A
2V
a.
b.
c.
d.
VX
Using Kirchoff’s voltage law VX is -32V
Using Kirchoff’s voltage law VX is +28V
Using Kirchoff’s voltage law VX is +32V
Using Kirchoff’s voltage law VX is -28V
Improved Question
For the circuit shown, use Kirchoff’s voltage law to
calculate the voltage VX.
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3A
2V
a.
b.
c.
d.
-32V
+28V
+32V
-28V
VX
For single response MCQ's, ensure that
there is only one correct response.
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Weak question
import java.io.*;
class FileHandling {
public static void main (String [] args ) throws Exception {
File f = new File("temp.tmp");
FileOutputStream s = new FileOutputStream(f);
PrintStream p = new PrintStream (s);
p.println("Hello World");
}
}
If one attempted to compile and run the above Java Program
a. It would fail to compile
b. It would execute without error
c. It would generate a run-time error on execution
d. It would print “Hello World” on the standard output (screen)
e. It would print “Hello World” to a file called temp.tmp
Improved Question
import java.io.*;
class FileHandling {
public static void main (String [] args ) throws Exception {
File f = new File("temp.tmp");
FileOutputStream s = new FileOutputStream(f);
PrintStream p = new PrintStream (s);
p.println("Hello World");
}
}
If one attempted to compile and run the above Java Program
a. It would fail to compile
b. It would generate a run-time error on execution
c. It would execute, but ask the user to specify the directory in which to
create temp.tmp
d. It would execute without error and print “Hello World” on the standard
output (screen)
e. It would execute without error and print “Hello World” to a file called
temp.tmp
Writing Distracters: Use only plausible
and attractive alternatives as
distracters.
 Weak question
A narrative, English-like description of the logic
of a program is called
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Hypertext
A Storyboard
Pseudocode
Fiction
Rhetoric
Improved Questions
A narrative, English-like description of the logic of a
program is called
a. Hypertext
b. A Storyboard
c. Pseudocode
d. A structure chart
e. An overview diagram
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In the other example, options 'd' and 'e' are not
serious distracters.
Avoid giving clues to the correct answer.
Weak Question
The negatively charged fundamental particle is
called an
a. proton
b. electron
c. neutron
d. quark
Improved Question
The negatively charged fundamental particle is
called a/an
a. proton
b. electron
c. neutron
d. quark
Avoid the choices "All of the above"
and "None of the above".
 "All of the above" - identify only two as correct
 "None of the above" or identify one wrong and
you have ruled this out.
 "None of the above" does not find out whether
the student knows the correct answer!
Additional points on Distracters
 Distracters based on common student errors or
misconceptions are very effective.
 Correct statements that do not answer the question are
often strong distracters.
 Avoid using ALWAYS and NEVER in the stem as testwise
students are likely to rule such universal statements out
of consideration.
 Distracters should differ from the key in a substantial
way, not just in some minor nuance of phrasing or
emphasis
 Provide a sufficient number of distracters.
 5 is best.