Basic Format

Basic Format for Multiple-Choice Questions

Each Alternative listed on separate lines, one under another.
- it is a good clear format
- it is the one used on provincial tests, so should get students used to it
- since it is modeled on provincial tests, probably the format most commonly found in other classrooms -- consistency is helpful to some students
Use correct grammar.
Use capital letters, periods, colons -- but be consistent.

POOR FORMATS FOR MULTIPLE-CHOICE:


47. The shortage of a product or resource is called
	a. mass consumption  b. planned obsolescence
	
	c. scarcity                 d. materialism


47. The shortage of a product or resource is called

	a. mass consumption  c. scarcity

	b. materialism           d. planned obsolescence

Hard to read without space between Stem and Alternatives.
the logic for placing (b) and (c) is equally compelling in both versions of #47 so some students will choose the right answer but record the wrong letter.


48. 21 X 10 is

1. 2.1 2.10 3.4721 4.210


48. 21 X 10

   A) .21

   B) 2.1

   C) 21

   D) 210

use letters in front of alternatives instead of numbers (especially in anything involving numbers)


47. Which of the following authors is female?

	A) Tennessee Williams

	B) Andre Norton  

	C) Sean Stewart

	D) Guy G. Kay