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Multiple-choice Questions: Linking Teaching and Learning

This document provides criteria that may be considered when choosing and creating appropriate multiple choice questions.  Examples are drawn from the Social Studies 20 & 30 programs of study however the criteria and principles are applicable across programs of study.

Category 2: Questions Revised to Meet the Criteria

Discrete Questions

Sample Question

Original Question

Revised Question

The purposes and methods of the League of Nations were most similar to those currently associated with:

  1. NATO
  2. NAFTA
  3. The United Nations*
  4. The European Union

The purposes and methods of the League of Nations were most similar to those currently associated with:

  1. L'Organisation internationale de la  Francophonie
  2. Arctic Council
  3. The United Nations*
  4. The European Union

    The original question tests students' knowledge of NATO and NAFTA, which are not prescribed examples in the program of studies. Revising the distracters ensures that the question addresses prescribed content in the 2007 program of studies.

    Knowledge and Understanding 20-1 outcome:
    3.7  evaluate the extent to which selected organizations promote internationalism (United Nations, World Council of Indigenous Peoples, European Union, l'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Arctic Council, contemporary examples) (GC, PADM, ER)

    Skills and Processes 20-1 outcome:
    S.1.2 determine relationships among multiple and varied sources of information

    Knowledge and Understanding 20-2 outcome:
    3.7  analyze the extent to which selected organizations promote internationalism (United Nations, World Council of Indigenous Peoples, European Union, l'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Arctic Council) (GC, PADM, ER)

    Skills and Processes 20-2 outcome:
    S.1.2 determine relationships among multiple sources of information

Source-based Questions

Sample Question

Original Question

Revised Question

Use the quotation to answer the following question.

"we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender"

– Winston Churchill

The battle that Winston Churchill is referring to:

  1. Britain*
  2. Stalingrad
  3. Normandy
  4. El Alamein

Use the quotation to answer the following question.

"we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender"

– Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill is appealing to the citizens' spirit of:

  1. Internationalism
  2. National interest
  3. Ultranationalism
  4. Nationalism*

    The original question tests students' ability to recall facts related to battles of the Second World War. Although some students may be familiar with these battles, others may not be familiar with the details of the battles of the Second World War, as they are not prescribed in the 2007 program of studies. The revised question tests students' knowledge of the concepts cited in the distracters and asks students to analyze the quotation to determine which concept is being addressed. Revising the distracters in the question ensures that the question aligns with the outcomes in the 2007 program of studies.

    Knowledge and Understanding 20-1 outcome:
    2.7  analyze nationalism and ultranationalism during times of conflict (causes of the First and Second World Wars, examples of nationalism and ultranationalism from the First and Second World Wars, ultranationalism in Japan, internments in Canada, conscription crises) (PADM, TCC, GC, LPP)

    Skills and Processes 20-1 outcomes:
    S.1.2  determine relationships among multiple and varied sources of information
    S.1.7 identify seemingly unrelated ideas to explain a concept or event

    Knowledge and Understanding 20-2 outcome:
    2.8  analyze nationalism and ultranationalism during times of conflict (causes of the First and Second World Wars, examples of nationalism and ultranationalism from the First and Second World Wars, internments in Canada, conscription crises) (PADM, TCC, GC, LPP)

    Skills and Processes 20-2 outcomes:
    S.1.2 determine relationships among multiple sources of information
    S.1.7 identify seemingly unrelated ideas to explain a concept or event

Next Section: Category 3

Last updated: August 31, 2010 | (Revision History)
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