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Multiple Choice Questions Definition
Multiple choice questions are common in English language exams. They are used to test your reading and writing skills.
A multiple choice question is a question with a list of several possible answers to choose from. Multiple choice questions ask you to choose the correct answer out of that list.
Fig. 1 - Don't be left unsure.Multiple Choice Questions Structure
In English exams, questions are structured with three defining features: the stimulus passage, the question, and the list of possible answers. Let's take a look at what each feature includes.
1. The Stimulus Passage
The first part of a multiple choice question is the stimulus passage.
A stimulus passage is an excerpt from a text you use to answer a multiple choice question. The questions you answer will be based on the stimulus passage.
In an English language exam, the stimulus passage will be from a nonfiction text. Each stimulus passage in an English exam is followed by several multiple choice questions. Each question focuses on one aspect of the passage.
A few years ago, I was teaching a college-level ethics course when I met a student named William Peeples Jr. He was a voracious reader, an elegant writer, a deep and creative thinker and a supportive classmate who always lifted up the voices of those around him.
He exuded a joyful love of learning that was infectious in the classroom, motivating all of us to fully embrace the powerful force education can have on a human life. I’ve been a professor for more than 20 years, and Peeples was not only one of the best students I’d ever taught, he also left an indelible mark on me as both a person and an educator.
But it turns out that Peeples wasn’t supposed to be in my classroom at all. In fact, he was supposed to be dead. In 1990, Peeples was sentenced to death in a Cook County, Illinois courthouse for killing his next-door neighbor. If former Illinois Gov. George H. Ryan hadn’t ended the death penalty — commuting all death sentences to life sentences — William would have been executed, never finding his way into my course at Stateville Correctional Center.1
2. The Question
Right after the stimulus passage, there will be questions about that passage. These questions might be general to the passage or specific to one section of the passage.
In paragraph 3, the writer's position on the death penalty is best described as _____.
Some questions sound more like statements. These types of questions ask you to finish a statement in your answer.
3. The List of Possible Answers
After the question, there will be a list of possible answers. Your job is to choose the right answer. There will only be one. The rest of the answers are distractors.
Distractors are answers that are meant to distract you from the correct answer. They may sound right or be close to correct to make you second-guess yourself.
Distractors are tricky! Sometimes it can seem like there's more than one correct answer. It's best to focus on choosing the most correct answer.
Advantages of Multiple Choice Questions
Multiple choice questions have several advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the benefits of multiple choice questions and how to deal with their disadvantages.
Multiple choice questions give you flexibility and an opportunity to show off your reading and writing skills.
Some of the benefits of multiple choice questions are:
- Time. It takes less time to answer multiple choice questions than it does to write an essay.
- Choices. Multiple choice questions offer more than one choice of answer. This allows you to make an educated guess when necessary.
- Play to your strengths. Multiple choice questions allow you to show off what you know about different aspects of reading and writing. Even if you're not as strong in certain areas, you can still do well on a multiple-choice exam.
Disadvantages of Multiple Choice Questions
Of course, multiple choice questions aren't perfect. There are some disadvantages to them.
Some of the disadvantages of multiple choice questions are:
- Tricky answers. Some of the answer choices in a multiple choice question are designed to trip you up. They may sound close to the right answer or be partially right. This can be confusing and make you second-guess yourself. When this happens, focus on choosing the most correct answer.
- Information overload. The wide variety of things you have to know to answer multiple choice questions can seem overwhelming. It helps to take each question one at a time. Think of each question as one baby step toward finishing the exam.
Fig. 2 - Don't let the writers get into your head.
Types of Multiple Choice Questions with Examples
There are two primary types of multiple choice questions in an English language exam: reading questions and writing questions. Read on for an overview of these types of questions and what they might look like.
Reading Questions
Reading questions focus on your ability to understand the choices made by a writer. Reading questions will ask you to consider how and why the writer of the stimulus passage made their rhetorical choices.
Rhetorical choices are the decisions a writer makes to convey meaning and have an effect on the reader.
Types of Reading Questions
Look over the table below for an overview of the different types of reading questions with examples.
| Type of Reading Question | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | This type of question asks you to identify the purpose of a particular rhetorical choice in the stimulus passage. The purpose refers to the effect the writer intends to have on the reader. What do they hope to accomplish with this rhetorical choice? | In the second paragraph, the writer introduces a hypothetical scenario primarily to _____. |
Audience | This type of question asks you to consider the intended audience of the stimulus passage. It might ask you about the effect a writer's rhetorical choice has on the audience. Think about who the audience is and how they might react to the choices the author makes in the stimulus passage. | Which of the following best represents the author’s intended audience? |
Claims | This type of question asks you to determine what type of claim the writer is making in the stimulus passage. A claims question might also ask why the writer would want to make this type of claim. | In lines 10-12, the author’s point about “media consumers” and their expectations of social media is that social media should be ______. |
This type of question asks you how the writer develops their line of reasoning. A line of reasoning question might also ask you to consider which choices the writer makes that reveal their line of reasoning. | In the third paragraph, the series of rhetorical questions serves the speaker's line of reasoning by _____. | |
This type of question asks you to consider the evidence used in the stimulus passage. An evidence question might ask:
|
| |
Position | This type of question asks you to identify the writer's position or stance in the stimulus passage. A position question might also ask how the writer's position affects their rhetorical choices in the stimulus passage. | In the third paragraph (lines 30–38), which of the following best characterizes the writer’s position on the relevance of her topic for parents? |
Tone | This type of question asks you about the tone of the stimulus passage. The tone refers to the mood the writer sets with their words. A tone question might ask you how the writer conveys their tone or which words in the stimulus passage reveal the writer's tone. | Lines 15–25 could be used to support which of the following claims about the writer’s tone? |
Writing Questions
Writing questions focus on your ability to write and revise texts. Writing questions will ask you to “read like a writer” and think about how you would revise the stimulus passage.
As you read the stimulus passage, ask yourself:
- How could the sentences be clearer?
- What types of evidence would make the most sense to support the writer's purpose?
- What changes would you make to the passage's word choices and organization?
When answering writing questions, think about how the passage could be improved.
Types of Writing Questions
Look to the table below to learn about different types of writing questions with examples.
| Type of Writing Question | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | This type of question asks you to select a choice or method to accomplish the writer's purpose. A purpose question may also ask why that choice helps the writer achieve their purpose. | In the third paragraph, the writer wants to expand on the concession that e-books are more convenient than print books. Which of the following claims would best achieve this purpose? |
| Organization | This type of question asks you to consider the best organizational methods for the stimulus passage. This type of question is very popular. An organization question might ask:
| The writer wants to add a phrase at the beginning of sentence 4 to set up a comparison with the idea discussed in sentence 3. Which of the following choices best accomplishes this goal? |
Introduction | This type of question asks you to choose the best hook or introductory sentence for the stimulus passage. An introduction question might also ask you to choose the best way to introduce an idea or piece of evidence. | Which of the following sentences, if placed before sentence 1, would best capture the audience’s interest and provide the most effective introduction to the topic of the passage? |
| Evidence | This type of question asks you about the relationships between evidence, claims, and citation. An evidence question might ask:
| The writer wants to add more information to the fourth paragraph to support the main argument of the paragraph. Which of the following pieces of evidence help achieve this goal? |
Tips for Answering Multiple Choice Questions
When taking a multiple choice exam, be prepared. Practice with exam questions and try to make sure you take about one minute to answer each question. It doesn't have to be hard! Just follow the tips below.
Mark Up and Annotate
When reading the stimulus passage, mark key terms, pieces of evidence, and claims. Write out your thoughts on the author's rhetorical choices. Underline or highlight any sections of the passage that are dealt with in the questions.
Read the Background Information
Find What Fits
Multiple choice questions offer you different possible answers. Try out each answer to see how well it fits. Mark out options that don't work.
Try reading it out loud if it helps. This tip is particularly helpful for writing questions.
Put a Pin In It
Multiple Choice Questions - Key Takeaways
- A multiple choice question is a question with a list of several possible answers to choose from.
- In English exams, questions are structured with three defining features: the stimulus passage, the question, and the list of possible answers.
- Your job is to choose the most correct answer. There will only be one. The rest of the answers are distractors.
- There are two primary types of multiple choice questions in an English language exam: reading questions and writing questions.
- When taking a multiple choice exam, be prepared. Practice with exam questions and try to make sure you take about one minute to answer each question.
References
- Jennifer Lackey, "My college student's transformation provides best argument for abolishing death penalty," USA Today, 2020.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Multiple Choice Questions
What is a multiple choice question?
A multiple choice question is a question with a list of several possible answers to choose from. Multiple choice questions ask you to choose the correct answer out of that list.
How do I answer multiple choice questions?
To answer multiple choice questions, focus on choosing the most correct answer. Read and annotate the stimulus passage, read the background information, find what fits, and return later to any questions that have you stumped.
What are the advantages of multiple choice questions?
The advantages of multiple choice questions are that they take less time than essay questions, they offer more than one possible answer, and they allow you to play to your strengths.
What are the disadvantages of multiple choice questions?
The disadvantages of multiple choice questions are that they contain distractors to confuse you and the answer choices can seem overwhelming.
How do I prepare for a multiple choice exam?
To prepare for a multiple choice exam, practice with exam questions and try to make sure you take about one minute to answer each question.
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