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Create Multi-Part Questions That Have One Question Mode

When all parts of your question use the same question mode — for example, numerical — you can add additional answer placeholder strings <_> in Question and additional answer keys in Answer. For multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, you also need to indicate where each new set of answer choices begins.

For most question modes, each answer box is created by adding the answer placeholder string <_> in Question, and each answer key is specified using a single line in Answer. Each new answer placeholder string <_> and answer key create a new question part.

For multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, however, each answer key is specified using multiple lines, so you must indicate the beginning of each new answer key in one of the following ways:

  • For multiple-choice questions, add the <MCPART> tag at the start of each new answer key.
  • For multiple-select questions, add the <MSPART> tag at the start of each new answer key.
  1. Click Questions > Create. The Question Editor opens.
  2. In Name, type a name for the question.
  3. In Mode, select the question mode that you want to use.
  4. In Question, type your question. Use an answer placeholder string <_> to specify where the answer box should be displayed for each question part.
    Tip Optionally, add the <MARK> tag to specify where the correct/incorrect mark should be displayed for each question part. This might be necessary when displaying answer choices horizontally or in tables for multiple-choice or multiple-select questions.
  5. In Answer, provide an answer key for each question part.
    • For a multiple-choice question, type <MCPART> at the beginning of each new set of choices after the first question part.
    • For a multiple-select question, type <MSPART> at the beginning of each new set of choices after the first question part.
    • For all other question modes, provide each answer key on a single line as described in the documentation for that question type.  
    Note
    • If an answer extends beyond the right side of the Answer box, it is wrapped to the next line, but it is still considered a single line so long as you do not press ENTER.
    Important  Each line in Answer is significant.
    • Do not specify <MCPART> or <MSPART> on a separate line.
    • Do not add blank lines in Answer, for example, by pressing ENTER after the last answer key.
  6. Optional: Type a Solution.

    The solution helps your students understand the steps they need to take to determine the correct answer to the question. Your assignment settings specify when to show the solution.

  7. Click Test/Preview to test the appearance and behavior of the question. See Test Questions.
  8. Click Redisplay to show certain kinds of errors in the Display section of the Question Editor. Make any needed changes to your question.
  9. Optional: Click Show Additional Information and change the question's sharing permission or add descriptive information.
    • By default, other instructors can use your question only if you provide them with the question ID, and only you can edit the question or find it in search results. To change the permission, see Share Questions With Other Instructors.
    • If you make your question publicly available, you might want to provide descriptive information to help others search for it. See Add Search Metadata to Questions.
  10. When your question displays and functions correctly, click Save.

    WebAssign assigns it a unique question ID (QID), which is displayed in parentheses after the question name.

    You can use your question in an assignment and see it in your My Questions list only after it is saved.

Example Multi-Part Numerical Question

The following table summarizes an actual question.

QID

 
1589520

Name 

Template2 3.MULTP.01.

Mode 

Numerical

Question 

Find the following for a sphere having a diameter of 8 cm. 
Specify units.<br>
Volume: <_><br>
Surface area: <_>

Answer 

268.08 cm^3
201.06 cm^2

Display

Question as displayed to students

Example Multi-Part Multiple-Choice Question

The following table summarizes an actual question.

QID 

1589518

Name 

Template2 3.MULTP.02.

Mode 

Multiple-Choice

Question 

Identify the organ system to which each organ belongs.<br>
heart <_><br>
lungs <_><br>
kidneys <_>

Answer 

<EQN $PULLDOWN=1; $ORDERED=1; ''>circulatory system
digestive system
endocrine system
excretory system
lymphatic system
nervous system
reproductive system
respiratory system
<MCPART><EQN $PULLDOWN=1; $ORDERED=8; ''>circulatory system
digestive system
endocrine system
excretory system
lymphatic system
nervous system
reproductive system
respiratory system
<MCPART><EQN $PULLDOWN=1; $ORDERED=4; ''>circulatory system
digestive system
endocrine system
excretory system
lymphatic system
nervous system
reproductive system
respiratory system

Display to Students

Question as displayed to students

Example Multi-Part Multiple-Select Question

The following table summarizes an actual question.

QID 

1589516

Name 

Template2 3.MULTP.03.

Mode 

Multiple-Select

Question 

Identify the primary colors: <br><_> <_> <_> <_> <_> <_> <MARK>
<br><br>
Identify the secondary colors: <br><_> <_> <_> <_> <_> <_> <MARK>

Answer 

<EQN $ORDERED=[1,3,5]; $SET_EACH_POSITION=1; ''>red
orange
yellow
green
blue
purple
<MSPART><EQN $ORDERED=[2,4,6]; $SET_EACH_POSITION=1; ''>red
orange
yellow
green
blue
purple

Display to Students

Question as displayed to students