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Assessment Question Types: Fill in the Blank

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Fill in the Blank Questions

A fill in the blank question requires Students to enter missing text. For example:
Albert Einstein was born on March 14 in the year _______. His birthplace was ________. The correct answers are 1879 and Ulm, Germany.

You can create or edit questions from two locations in the Assessments tool: in an assessment or the Question Database.

Step 1: Locate and click the assessment or click Go to Question Database.

Step 2: Depending on whether you are creating or editing a question, do one of the following:

  • If you are creating a question:
    • Click Create Questions.
    • Click Fill in the Blank.

  • If you are editing a question, click the question title.

Step 3: Enter a title. The title is helpful for doing searches in the Question Database, where you search by question title.

Step 4: Enter the question in Plain Text or HTML format, placing the missing text in square brackets. When Students view the question, the text inside the square brackets will appear as a blank.

Example: Albert Einstein was born on March 14 in the year [1879]. His birthplace was [Ulm, Germany].

IMPORTANT: Use only one pair of square brackets for the missing text. Correct: [missing text]. Incorrect: [[missing text]]

  • To enter the question in Plain Text format, enter the text. The text will appear exactly as you have typed it.
     
  • To enter the question in HTML format, you can use the HTML Creator or hand code the HTML:
    • To use the HTML Creator:
      1. Click the Enable HTML Creator button. The HTML Creator appears.
      2. Enter the question.
    • To hand-code the HTML:
      1. Select Use HTML.
      2. Enter the HTML code.
         
  • NOTE: Depending on administrator settings, the HTML Creator may not be available or it may appear by default.

Step 5: Optionally insert an equation.

Step 6: Optionally add an image to display with the question:

  • Next to Image, click Browse. The Content Browser pop-up window appears.
     
  • If the image file you want to add is on your computer, click the My Computer icon. Your computer's file browser or the Upload Files from Your Computer screen appears.Locate and select the file. The image is added. If the image file you want to add is in the course system, navigate to the file and select it. Click OK. The image is added.

Step 7: Depending on whether you are creating or editing a question, do one of the following:

  • If you are creating a question, click Generate Answers.
  • If you are editing a question, click Update Answers.

Step 8: Under Answers, do the following:

  • In the Value (%) text box, enter the percentage value of each correct answer. The total percentage must equal 100%.
     
  • Select a grading scheme for each answer:
    • If Students' answers must match the text exactly, select Equals from the Grading scheme drop-down list.
    • If Students' answers must contain the same text in any order, select Contains from the Grading scheme drop-down list.
    • If you want to use a PERL regular expression to evaluate Students' answers, select Regular expression from the Grading scheme drop-down list. Ensure that you entered the regular expression in square brackets in the Question text.

Step 9: If another answer is correct, create an alternate answer:

  • Click Create Alternate. The Alternate text box appears.
  • In the Alternate text box, enter the alternate answer text.
  • In the Value (%) text box, enter the percentage value of each correct answer. The total percentage must equal 100%.
  • Select a grading scheme.

Step 10: Under Settings, do the following

  • From the Answer box width drop-down list, select the number of characters that can be entered in the answer boxes. A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 100 characters are allowed.
     
  • Next to Answers are case sensitive, select one of the following:
    • If the answer is case sensitive, select Yes. For example, Albert Einstein is correct but albert einstein is incorrect.
    • If the answer is case insensitive, select No. For example, Albert Einstein and albert einstein are correct.

Step 11: To see more options, click the Expand/Collapse icon next to More Options. The More Options section expands.

  • To include a comment about the question, enter it in Plain Text or HTML format in the General feedback text box. The comment appears when Students view their graded assessment.
     
  • To include a note that is visible only to yourself or other Section Designers, enter it in the Section Designer notes text box.
     
  • Place the question into a category. All questions are automatically stored in the Question Database but the Question Database can contain many questions, so we recommend that you organize questions in categories.
    • To place the question in an existing category, select Specify an existing category and from the drop-down list, select the category. Uncategorized Questions is a default category. If you do not specify a category, the question is placed here automatically.
    • To place the question in a new category, select Create a category and enter the category name in the text box.
       
  • To preview the question to ensure it appears correctly, do the following:
    • Click Preview. The question appears in preview mode.
    • To test the grading scheme and feedback:
      • Select your answer and click Grade. The grade appears in preview mode.
      • To test another answer, click Back. The question appears in preview mode.
      • When you are finished previewing the question, click Close. The question appears.

Step 12: Click the Save button at the bottom of the page.