04: MLQ Options

The matching-list question comprises 3 – 5 options of similar length. The options for matching-list questions should have parallel construction. The options should neither be too easy nor should stand out in length and each column should list a group of related items.

Matching-list questions could be of two types:

- Exclusive Match
- Non-Exclusive Match

Exclusive Match

In exclusive-match questions, the key contents of both OST and pop-ups are covered. Parallel construction and précis-writing rules are strictly followed. The shorter options are given to the right, which have the numerals in drop-down boxes. The longer options to the left are jumbled.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to correctly write an exclusive matching-list question.

Input

Roots take in water and minerals from the soil, store excess food, hold or anchor the plant in the soil and propagate certain species. Stems support the plant, expose the leaves to sunlight, and transport food and water to other parts of the plant. Flowers produce seeds by the process of pollination followed by fertilization and attract insects and birds for the process of pollination. Leaves absorb sunlight for the manufacturing of plant sugars and breathe air in and out so that the plant is supplied with carbon dioxide. Fruit protect the ovules as they mature into seeds, and aid in seed dispersal for the process of reproduction.

Output

Can you match the first part of the statements with their corresponding second part?

Select an option from each drop-down list box, and then click Submit.

In this example, the options on the left hand side column have a continued part on the right hand side column.

Mock-up

This is how the above storyboard output would be integrated as an e-learning courseware screen.

Non-Example

The following non-example demonstrates how not to write an exclusive matching-list question.

Input

Roots take in water and minerals from the soil, store excess food, hold or anchor the plant in the soil and propagate certain species. Stems support the plant, expose the leaves to sunlight, and transport food and water to other parts of the plant. Flowers produce seeds by the process of pollination followed by fertilization and attract insects and birds for the process of pollination. Leaves absorb sunlight for the manufacturing of plant sugars and breathe air in and out so that the plant is supplied with carbon dioxide. Fruit protect the ovules as they mature into seeds, and aid in seed dispersal for the process of reproduction.

Output

Can you match the first part of the statements with their corresponding second part?

Select an option from each drop-down list box, and then click Submit.

In this non-example, the column headers are non-specific terms and they do not map with the incomplete option in each column.

Non-Exclusive Match

In non-exclusive-match questions, the key contents in the pop-ups are covered. Parallel construction and précis-writing rules are strictly followed. The shorter options are given to the right, which have text entry to type in the numerals. The longer options to the left are jumbled. The options that repeat are in the right column. Typically, the options to the right is less in number than the options to the left. There can be more than one option to the left for an option to the right.

Example

The following example demonstrates how to correctly write a non-exclusive matching-list question.

Input

Roots take in water and minerals from the soil, store excess food, hold or anchor the plant in the soil and propagate certain species. Stems support the plant, expose the leaves to sunlight, and transport food and water to other parts of the plant. Flowers produce seeds by the process of pollination followed by fertilization and attract insects and birds for the process of pollination. Leaves absorb sunlight for the manufacturing of plant sugars and breathe air in and out so that the plant is supplied with carbon dioxide. Fruits protect the ovules as they mature into seeds, and aid in seed dispersal for the process of reproduction.

Output

Can you match the parts of a plant with their corresponding functions?

Type a numeral in each text-entry box, and then click Submit. You can type a numeral more than once.

In this example, the options in the right column match with more than one options in the left column.

Mock-up

This is how the above storyboard output would be integrated as an e-learning courseware screen.

Non-Example

The following non-example demonstrates how not to write a non-exclusive matching-list question.

Input

Roots take in water and minerals from the soil, store excess food, hold or anchor the plant in the soil and propagate certain species. Stems support the plant, expose the leaves to sunlight, and transport food and water to other parts of the plant. Flowers produce seeds by the process of pollination followed by fertilization and attract insects and birds for the process of pollination. Leaves absorb sunlight for the manufacturing of plant sugars and breathe air in and out so that the plant is supplied with carbon dioxide. Fruits protect the ovules as they mature into seeds, and aid in seed dispersal for the process of reproduction.

Output

Can you match the parts of a plant with their corresponding functions?

Type a numeral in each text-entry box, and then click Submit. You can type a numeral more than once.

In this non-example, the option (D)—to provide support to the plant, matches with both options (1) and (2) to the right. This should not be the case with non-exclusive match, as an option to the right can match with more than one option to the left and not vice-versa.