Supply-type questions are generally characterized by which combination of traits?

Supply-type questions are generally characterized by which combination of traits?

• A. They require a written response, are not reliable, and take more time
• B. They are quick to answer and highly reliable
• C. They are always binary
• D. They require matching items

Answer: (A)

Open-ended, supply-type questions measure a student’s ability to generate and articulate a response in their own words. Because the answer must be written or produced rather than chosen from options, these items take more time for the student to complete and more time for the instructor to grade. Reliability tends to be lower, too, since different graders may interpret and score responses differently unless a detailed rubric or model answer is used. The other formats described—quick to answer with high reliability, always binary, or requiring matching items—do not capture the nature of supply-type questions, which hinge on producing a constructed response. So the best description is that they require a written response, are not reliable, and take more time.

Open-ended, supply-type questions measure a student’s ability to generate and articulate a response in their own words. Because the answer must be written or produced rather than chosen from options, these items take more time for the student to complete and more time for the instructor to grade. Reliability tends to be lower, too, since different graders may interpret and score responses differently unless a detailed rubric or model answer is used. The other formats described—quick to answer with high reliability, always binary, or requiring matching items—do not capture the nature of supply-type questions, which hinge on producing a constructed response. So the best description is that they require a written response, are not reliable, and take more time.