Multiple choice answer type (Simple Editor)

You can use the Simple Editor to create or edit the multiple choice answer type in an item. This answer type is used for multiple-choice questions in which students select a single correct answer by choosing a radio button. It can also be used for fill-in-the blank sentences or true/false questions.

Mobile-compatible answer type: You can use this answer type to create mobile-ready Mastering questions which can be completed on a smartphone, tablet, or on a computer. Guidelines for mobile-ready items

ClosedStudent view of a multiple choice question

Multiple choice question with radio buttons

ClosedAnswer box for a multiple choice answer (Simple Editor view)

Answer box with 5 filled-in answer choices and option links to add pre-text, post-text, and add choice

 

ClosedCreate an item with the multiple choice answer type

You can use the multiple choice answer type to create:

To create a multiple choice answer:

  1. Click the Item Library tab.
  2. Click Create New Item on the right to open the Simple Editor in a new window.
  3. Scroll down to the Answer box for the part. By default, the multiple choice answer type is selected in the dropdown menu next to Answer Type (on the right).

  4. In the Answer box, enter the following information:

    • [Optional] Add pre-text and post-text
    • Add correct answer and wrong answer choices
    • Set the position of answer choices ( fixed or random)
    • [Optional] Add wrong-answer feedback to help students
    • [Optional] Add follow-up text in response to correct answers

    For detailed instructions, see the next sections.

  5. To save your edits, click Save (from the top toolbar) or the Save & Preview link (top right). Do NOT press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command-S (Mac OS).
Closed[Optional] Pre-text and post-text

Click the add pre-text link to enter a complete sentence or the start of a sentence to appear before the radio button answer choices. Here is an example of what the pre-text looks like in student view (Standard View):

Pre-text example "The human skeleton has less than 200 bones." True or False

Click the add post-text link to enter text to appear after the answer choices. Here is an example of both pre-text ("It's more nutritional to eat") and post-text ("for breakfast") in student view.

Post-text "for breakfast" in question example "It's more nutritional to eat eggs or a glazed doughnut for breakfast."

ClosedCorrect answer and wrong answer choices
  1. Click in the text boxes to add answer choices. Use the editing toolbar and menus to format text (including TeX) or to insert tables, images, or links.
  2. [Optional] Click the add choice link to enter more answer choices or Delete choice to remove an answer choice.
  3. Click the radio button you want to assign as the correct answer.

  4. [Optional] Click add an additional correct answer and use the dropdown menu to choose the additional correct answer. (Note that no change is made to the radio buttons above where the original correct answer remains selected.)

    ""

ClosedSet the position of answer choices (fixed or random)

By default, multiple choice answers are presented to students in random order. However, you may need to set this to fixed, depending on your content. For example, you should fix the order of the answer choice "All of the above" to be last. Another example is when answer choices are a series of numbers or other elements that make more sense in a specific order.

  • To change a random order answer choice to fixed: Unordered answers have the unlocked icon on the right. To fix the order of an answer choice, click its unlocked icon so that it changes to locked.
  • To reorder the list of answers: Click the Move up or Move down arrows, as needed.
Closed[Optional] Add wrong-answer feedback to help students
  • Although optional, it is recommended that you provide wrong-answer feedback. Wrong-answer feedback can help students learn from their mistakes or incorrect choices.
  • Mastering provides the initial feedback "Incorrect; Try Again", followed by the follow-up text. ClosedExample of wrong-answer feedback in student view (Standard View)

Wrong answer feedback says Incorrect; Try Again You have chosen a unit of measurement for temperature. See section 1.3 in the textbook.

To add wrong-answer feedback for the multiple choice answer type:

  1. Click the add wrong-answer feedback link to enter your feedback text for incorrect answer choices.
  2. Click the down arrow to choose the letter (A, B, C, and so on) associated with each answer choice shown in the answer box above.
  3. Enter your wrong answer feedback, using your keyboard and options from the editing toolbar and menus.
  4. [Optional] Click add response to generate additional rows for wrong answer feedback. It's best to provide more specific feedback higher in the list.

    To reorder wrong-answer responses: Click the ""Move Up or ""Move Down arrows to reorder the wrong answers and associated feedback.

    To delete wrong answer response: Click Delete choice in the row for the response.

  5.  
Closed[Optional] Add follow-up text in response to correct answers

Follow-up text appears after students submit a correct answer, to reinforce learning by offering more information or providing an interpretation of the answer the student just submitted.

  1. Click the add follow-up text link.
  2. Enter your answer feedback, using your keyboard and options from the editing toolbar and menus.

ClosedEdit multiple choice answers

You can make the following edits to multiple choice answers:

Important: Unless you are prepared to lose answer information, do NOT change a multiple choice answer type to multiselect. This action cannot be undone.

To edit multiple choice answers:

  1. Open the Simple Editor so that the item you want to edit appears in the Edit Item window.
  2. Navigate to the Answer box for the multiple choice question you want to edit. (The multiple choice answer type can be assigned to a part or a Socratic hint question.)
  3. [Optional] Change the content of answer choices: Click in the answer choice box and make your edits. Use the editing toolbar and menus to format text (including TeX) or to insert tables, images, or links.
  4. [Optional] Designate a different correct answer: Click the radio button you want to assign as the new correct answer.

  5. [Optional] Add or delete answer choices.

    • Add answer choices: For each additional choice, click the add choice link and enter the answer choice.
    • Delete answer choices: Click Delete choice on the right of the answer choice box.
  6. [Optional] Change the position of answer choices: To set the position of an answer (such as "All of the above") so that it is fixed, first click the Move Up or Move down arrow to get the answer choice in position. Then click the unlocked icon to change it to locked. (Any answer choices that are unlocked are presented to students in random order.)

  7. [Optional] Add or delete any additional correct answers.

    • Add an additional correct answer: Click add an additional correct answer and use the dropdown menu to choose the additional correct answer. (Note that no change is made to the radio buttons above where the original correct answer remains selected.)
    • Delete an additional correct answer: Click delete choice to the right of the Also Correct answer.
  8. To save your edits, click Save (from the top toolbar) or the Save & Preview link (top right). Do NOT press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command-S (Mac OS).

See also:

Multiselect answer type

Mobile-ready items

Answer types you can use in the Simple Editor

Edit item elements

Specify chapter and section for items you create or edit

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