SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS

Short-answer questions (SAQs) are open-ended questions that required learners to create an answer rather than to select an answer. Rather, it is to find out what learners know. SAQs can be in the form of sentence completion or questions. The answers may range from a word or phrase to one or two sentences. They are useful for recall of facts, analysis of data and solving problems.

Types of SAQs:

1.  Factual SAQs

• testing memory work  
• function: to describe or define the ways things are
• do not require an explanation
• often use the following instruction words:

Define	Give	Identify	List
Name	Outline	Provide	State

eg.   

Define blind marking. 

List the categories in Bloom's Taxonomy.

State 5 thinking skills.  

     

2.  Interpretive SAQs

• testing learners' ability to apply learnt concepts 
• function: to summarize in their own words to see whether they understand what is being asked
• often use the following instruction words:

Account for	Comment on	Compare	Consider	Contrast	Describe
Discuss	Distinguish	Elaborate on	Explain	Give reason for	Illustrate

eg.

Compare verbs and gerunds.

Describe the character Jack Worthing in The Importance of being Earnest. 

Give reasons for the creation of non-existent characters, Ernest and Bunbury. 

3.  Combined Questions 

•  a combination of factual and interpretive questions
•  usually factual questions come first before interpretive questions

eg. 

 Name three occupations and elaborate on the characteristics of each occupation.    

Test Purpose: 

• To assess the basic knowledge of key facts and terms
• To test understanding (low cognitive levels) of a topic.

How to use:

•  SAQs are usually use in Reading and Listening comprehension.

Learners' Preparation for SAQ Summary Tests:

 1. Learners' prepare for test

• summarize the course material information
• focus on key words, events, vocabulary and concepts
• organize and categorize material

 2. Learners' taking the test

• respond directly to the questions by focusing on keywords and eliminate unnecessary information
• respond and write concise answers by connecting key facts into short sentences
• think of several answers that the item writers might be looking for
• guessing answers with common sense could give test points rather than leaving the questions blank  

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