A

This page describes the simplest way to use Fill in the Blank (FB) quizzes - often known as Missing Word or Cloze passages. You also need to understand how to Take a Missing Words Quiz into a Course
BWhen you feel familiar with their preparation you might like to consider some of the more advanced techniques described here. Quizzes are automatically marked by the system - students get instant feedback and can retake the quiz. Results are stored in the Learning Log for the individual student and there will be a date stamped 'history trail' if several attempts have been made.

C

To use a FB quiz in a course you must:

  • author the quiz
  • include it in your Course Structure

D

To author any quiz use PIM>MyCourse>Tutor>Content>Assessments. This time we will choose Fill in the Blanks.

E

The first section lets you add new questions and change existing test names. The second section lets you edit, test and delete questions. Click Add New and then type a sensible title for your quiz - don't use a cryptic title like Test1 - you will forget what it is about. Click .

F

You need to add into the blank panel the text you want to use and then replace key words with an asterisk. As you add an asterisk, an answer field opens below the text box - this is where you put the expected answers and decide whether you want to be strict about the upper or lower case use. You also allocate a score for each answer. Click .

G

The standard way of using this would be one word per space - full marks awarded only for an exactly matching answer - but some variations are possible:

  • The blue section says that you can specify 2 or 3 words, any one of which will be credited if used.
  • The yellow section says you can put 2 or 3 words in a list and credit will be given for them all, no matter what order they are used.
H

There is on small issue when using 'cut and paste' from a visible list or passage - or even when typing answers directly. The computer checks for a PERFECT match. If the answer checked for is "bread" and the student has written "bred" it will be marked wrong (incorrect spelling). If the expected answer is "bread" and the student has written "bread " it will also be marked wrong - there is a trailing extra space in the answer.

There are several ways around this:

  • you could advise students of this quirk and ensure that they delete all trailing spaces from answers
  • you could use the technique from Section H above and specify 2 correct answers (separated by a comma), one of which contained the trailing space
  • you could follow each key word with a comma to exclude the possibility of a trailing space

 

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