Identifying Flawed Short Answer Items

For each item or pair of items, decide what is wrong or which item is better and why. When you have come to a conclusion, "hover" your mouse button over the center of the blue rectangle below the question. If the answer isn't revealed, see the answers at the bottom of the page.

1A. In ten words or less, what is the topic of this course?

1B. What is the title of your textbook?

Which is the better question?

1A is better.

Why is it better?

1A is reasonable and expected; 1B is too exact.

(Please note that this type of question must be manually graded.)

ANSWER KEY

1A is better. 1A is reasonable and expected; 1B is too exact.