# Question types

We list the WIRIS question types and describe how they work on this page. At the end of each section, we specify which tabs WirisQuizzes Studio should have in the corresponding question type.

## Essay

Students answer this question type by writing a (usually long) answer inside a text editor. This includes the possibility to insert formulas using the MathType button. This question type does not have automatic grading. The teachers must review the answers and manually grade them – students will not have a complete quiz grade until then.

Use this type to make questions with random wordings, for example, by defining random variables and using them in the question text. You only need to write the question's statement and the algorithm of CalcMe to, in this case, generate the representation of the function.

You can see its dedicated page if you want more information on creating and configuring graphics and plotters. All configurable settings must be defined through CalcMe except the size of the graphic plotters in the question statement. To do so, you must use the following commands:

• #yourplottername_desiredsize

• #yourplottername_desiredwidth_desiredheight

For example, you can display a plotter with a custom size of 400px per 300px by using the syntax #plotter1_400_300 on the question's statement.

Students answer this question type by writing a number or short formula, using MathType. This is the most complex question type to make because the student can write an answer in several different ways, and the system must decide if they are correct. That's why this question type has more sections to configure it.

In particular, there is a section called Validation options, which handles how WirisQuizzes interprets formulas from the student.

From the student's point of view, this type is just a particular type of Short Answer question, but with multiple questions and answers combined into one.

In the menu of Create a new question... there is no Compound answer type. Choose a Short answer question.

From the Input options section, set the Grade answer boxes separately checkbox in the Compound answer blank. Then you can list the sub-questions in the Correct answer field, using the form question = answer, one per line. The question is just a label and can be any text. The answer can be any valid Short answer correct answer, including numbers, formulas, and #variables.

You can set the grading of each sub-question. Choose if all sub-answers must be correct or you want different weights for each sub-answer.

## Multiple choice

Students answer this question type by choosing one (or maybe many) options from a list.

Note Moodle now allows questions to have negative scoring, so now you can set grades in a way to discourage answering at random. But keep in mind some web browsers do not allow you to deselect a choice once you have selected it.

You can always define variables and use them in the Question text and Feedback. This question type can also be used in the answer choices.

To create the example above, we will create a (random) polynomial and give three answers for the degree, also random. We will set the first answer as the correct choice for convenience, but don't worry, and the system will automatically shuffle the options to the student.

The algorithm would be

## Matching

Students answer this question type by choosing a simple label for each item on a list. This question type is just like a group of Multiple choice questions but less powerful on each consecutive one (since the labels are used only once).

Note the Answers can be only plain text. You can still use variables in the Answers, but their values must be texts, numbers, or simple formulas (for example, $\sqrt{2}$ would be converted to 2^(1/2) , but more complex formulas will probably not turn out nicely). On the other hand, questions can be anything, notably complex formulas or plots.

Write the algorithm to define the variables you will use in the Question text and Feedback, and more importantly, in questions and answers.

## True/False

Students answer this question type by choosing between the two options: true or false.

Define the variables you will use in the Question text and Feedback. Remember to define the Boolean Correct answer variable, or the correct answer will always be the same.

## Cloze

Embedded answers, or cloze, allow inserting different question types in one question. For example:

In this example, there is a short answer type and multiple choice. Detailed information on cloze questions can be found at Moodle docs. WIRIS cloze types follow the same exact format, with the following features:

• There is no "Numerical" subtype because none is needed.

• Variables can be used, but the pound symbol "#" has to be escaped with a backslash (e.g. "\#a" instead of the usual "#a").

The previous question, for example, could be made with the following text:

and in the Define random variables and functions section:

Students can still write formulas in their answer with the editor popup by clicking on the square root symbol in the answer blank in embedded short answer types. To enable this, select "Math editor in a popup" in the Input options section:

Furthermore, we can notice that the question algorithm assures that the polynomial will have no roots, so the question is not entirely random. If we want to consider the three options, we must change the answer format to add the new variables.

Thus, the variable preceded by the sign = will be taken as the correct one and the others, those preceded by the sign ~, as the wrong ones. In the Define random variables and functions section, we will use:

As of Moodle 3.0, multichoice questions "MC" in cloze are not shuffled. Instead, there are shuffled multichoice types to accomplish this in cloze. These are:

Unshuffled

Shuffled

Drop-down

MC

MCS

Horizontal

MCH

MCHS

Vertical

MCV

MCVS

The types mentioned above are also available in the WIRIS cloze type. For example, if we replace the "MC" above with "MCHS", the question will look like this:

And the multiple choice will be in random order each time.

#### Remarks

• Variables can be used in the answer in feedback fields (and only these).

• In the short answer type ("SA") each answer must be a variable or text, it cannot be a combination of both.

• If a variable is written as a formula, it will be converted to text inside a multichoice option (i.e. 2^(1/2) instead of $\sqrt{2}$)

• Settings in the Validation options section are common for all questions.