Matching questions are a refinement of multiple choice questions, effectively combining a number of multiple choice questions together. For example:
This page looks at:
How to structure matching pairs questions
Guidelines for matching questions
In such questions the first list contains the premise and the second the response. As with multiple choice questions, the lists can be made up of text, graphics or audio items.
Ways of structuring matching pairs questions
Apart from the example shown, there are various types of matching pairs questions.
Ordering
Ask the learner to put responses in the correct order (the premises). The premises may be numbers with spaces or boxes in a flowchart or similar. In e-learning you may ask the learner to click on an up or down arrow next to the response to sort the list into the correct order.
Fill in the blank
The premises are blanks in sentences. The learner decides which response goes in which space.
Matching questions can be really useful, as they can test a lot of understanding in a single question. However, they can be rather complex and need careful explanation to the learner. Word such explanations very carefully, and if possible, test the clarity of your wording out with other people.
In paper-based materials you can ask the learner to:
In e-learning materials you can:
Guidelines for matching questions
Many of the guidelines about writing good multiple choice questions also apply to matching questions, but there are some additional guidelines to follow.
Keep items in each list homogeneous
Design each list so that the items in it are of the same sort. For example, in the question above the first list contains charges and the second list payees.
Avoid clues
In addition to the possible clues discussed above, a clue that is specific to matching questions is to provide items in the list that are obviously related. For example, in the question above it could be argued that legal fees and solicitors are too obviously connected.
Offer more responses than premises
If the list of responses is longer than the list of premises, the learner will always have to make a choice between alternatives even for the last premise.
|
|
(C) Bryan Hopkins, 2005
Writing matching pairs questions
Matching questions are a refinement of multiple choice questions, effectively combining a number of multiple choice questions together. For example:
Who is paid what during a house buying transaction? Match the final payee to the charge.
| Charge | Payee |
| 1. Land registry fee | a. Estate agent |
| 2. Legal fee | b. Solicitor |
| 3. Stamp duty | c. Building Society |
| 4. Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee | d. Bank |
| e. Local authority | |
| f. The government |
