Activity: Good/Poor fixed-choice questions

For each pair of questions, decide which question is better and why.

Question 1

1A. The promiscuous use of sprays, oils, and antiseptics in the nose during acute colds is a pernicious practice because it may have a deleterious effect on:

1. the sinuses  
2. red blood cells
3. white blood cells
4. the olfactory nerve

1B. Frequent use of sprays, oils, and antiseptics in the nose during a bad cold may result in:

1. the spreading of the infection to the sinuses
2. damage to the olfactory nerve
3. destruction of white blood cells
4. congestion of the mucous membrane in the nose

Question 2

2A. In 1965, the death rate from accidents of all types per 100,000 population in the 15-24 age group was:

1. 59.0
2. 59.1
3. 59.2
4. 59.3

2B. In 1965, the leading cause of death per 100,000 population in the 15-24 age group was from:

1. respiratory disease
2. cancer
3. accidents
4. rheumatic heart disease

Question 3

3A. About how many calories are recommended daily for a 14-year old who is 62 in. tall, weighs 103 lbs., and is moderately active?

1. 1,500
2. 2,000
3. 2,500
4. 3,000

3B. About how many calories are recommended daily for a 14-year old who is 62 in. tall, weighs 103 lbs., and is moderately active?

1. 0
2. 2,000
3. 2,500
4. 3,000

Question 4

4A. Which of the following is a category in the taxonomy of the cognitive domain?

1. Reasoning ability
2. Critical thinking
3. Rote learning
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

4B. What is the most complex level in the taxonomy of the cognitive domain?

1. Knowledge
2. Synthesis
3. Evaluation
4. Analysis
5. Comprehension

Question 5

5A.	True	False	According to your textbook, alcoholism is a disease.
5B.	True	False	Alcoholism is a disease.

Question 6

6A.	True	False	Tuberculosis is not a noncommunicable disease.
6B.	True	False	Tuberculosis is a communicable disease.

Question 7

7A.	True	False	The true false question is also called an alternative response question.
7B.	True	False	The true false question, which is favored by all test experts, is also called an alternative-response question.

Question 8

8A.	True	False	Guessing on an exam is never a good idea.
8B.	True	False	You should guess on an exam when you can eliminate at least some of the incorrect answers.

Question 9

9A. In terms of type of response, the (matching) question is most like the (multiple-choice) question.

9B. In terms of type of responses, which question is most like the matching question? (multiple-choice)

Question 10

10A. When an exam is lengthened, reliability is likely to (increase).

10B. (Reliability) is likely to increase when an exam is lengthened.

Question 11

11A. The supply type question used to measure the ability to organize and integrate material is called an (essay question).  

11B. Supply-type questions used to measure the ability to organize and integrate material are called (essay questions).

Answer