> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://synap.ac/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://synap.ac/docs/platform/quizzes/questions-and-answers.md). # Questions and answers Questions are the individual activities that students complete inside a quiz. The **Questions** page is where you add them, arrange their order, place them into sections and open the full question editor. {% hint style="info" %} **Location:** Library → open a quiz → Questions {% endhint %} ### The Questions page The list shows the questions in the order students will normally encounter them. Each row includes a summary of the question, its type, its Synap identifier (ID) and, where supplied, an external ID. If the quiz uses sections, questions are grouped under their section headings. From this page you can: * add a question and choose its interaction type; * open an existing question to review or edit it; * drag questions into a different order; * move questions between sections; * clone a question when you want to reuse its structure; * export the question set to Comma-Separated Values (CSV); and * create a printable Portable Document Format (PDF), where available. The Synap ID is created automatically and uniquely identifies the question. **External ID** is optional and is useful when you need to match the question with a record in another system or with a source file used for imports. Older parts of the interface may label the external ID as a Digital Object Identifier (DOI). {% hint style="warning" %} Reordering a question changes its position in this quiz. If a question belongs to a timed section, moving it into another section can also change the time and navigation rules experienced by students. {% endhint %} ### Adding a question Select **Add question**, then choose the question type that matches the response you want from the student. The type determines both the answer controls in the editor and the interaction shown in the quiz player. A useful starting point is: | You want the student to… | Consider… | | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | choose one answer | Single Correct or True or False | | choose several answers | Multiple Correct | | put options into an order | Ranked | | type a brief, automatically checked answer | Short Answer or Cloze Text | | write a longer response | Free Text | | complete gaps within a passage | Cloze Text, Cloze Drop Down or Cloze Drag and Drop | | submit evidence or working | File Upload, Audio Recording, Video Recording or Spreadsheet | | identify an area on an image | Image Hotspot | | read information without answering | Informational | | complete work outside Synap | Off Platform | | review a prompt and reveal the answer | Flashcard | The detailed Question Types pages explain the differences and when each is most suitable. ### The question editor The editor opens in a panel over the question list. Its tabs separate the question content from answer rules, placement and marking. The tabs available depend on the question type and your portal's features. #### Question Use this tab for the content the student is responding to. * **Name** is an internal label that helps administrators identify the question. It does not need to be the full question text. * **Stem** contains the main scenario, passage, prompt or supporting information. It uses a rich-text editor, so it can include headings, lists, tables, images, files, mathematical notation and other formatted content. * **Audio/Video stem** attaches playable media to the question. * **Lead-in** is the direct instruction or question that follows the stem, such as “Which option is correct?”. Keeping the scenario in the stem and the task in the lead-in can make a long question easier to scan. * **Feedback** is explanatory content that can be shown after the response, depending on the quiz's result and feedback settings. Text Variables and Logic are available in supported rich-text editors. Use them when content needs to change according to a student's data or another variable source; preview the quiz to check the rendered result. #### Answer The Answer tab defines what the student can submit. Its controls are specific to the question type. For example, a Single Correct question lists options and marks one as correct, while a Free Text question can set a word limit, answer template and available writing tools. This is normally the most important tab to preview. Check that: * the interaction gives the student the response method you intended; * the correct response or marking method is configured; * limits and instructions agree with one another; and * randomisation does not change the meaning of options such as “all of the above”. #### Tags Tags classify the question for searching, reporting, generated practice and dynamic exams. A question can have more than one tag. Tags do not normally change the appearance of the question by themselves, but they can determine whether it is selected elsewhere. #### Placement Placement determines where the question belongs in the quiz and, where sections are used, which section contains it. A section may have its own duration and navigation rules, so placement can affect more than the visible order. #### Configuration Configuration contains behaviour and reference settings that apply to an individual question. | Setting | What it changes | | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Synap ID** | Shows the permanent identifier created by Synap. | | **External ID** | Stores an identifier from another system or source dataset. | | **Layout** | Chooses an automatic, side-by-side or top-down arrangement for the stem and response area. Preview long text and images at desktop and mobile widths. | | **Question timer** | Gives the question its own time limit where supported. This is separate from an overall quiz or section timer. | | **Hide stem after time** | Removes the stem after the configured interval while leaving the response area available. Use only when temporary exposure is part of the assessment design. | | **Hide from player** | For supported types, keeps the item in the administrative workflow without showing it as a student question. | #### Media controls This tab controls how attached audio or video behaves. Depending on the question type and portal settings, it can restrict playback, hide controls or determine how media starts. Always test media with the same browser and device constraints your students are likely to use. #### Marking Marking converts the response into credit. Available controls vary by type and can include: * marks or credit for the question; * points for individual options or blanks; * partial-credit rules; * penalties for incorrect responses; * manual marking for responses that cannot be checked automatically; and * information or a mark scheme for the person reviewing the answer. An automatically checked question still needs a clear correct-response rule. A manually marked question needs enough marker guidance to support consistent decisions. #### Attributes Attributes attach structured, portal-specific information to the question. They are useful when your organisation has added its own fields for reporting, workflow or integration. They are separate from Tags: Tags classify content within Synap, while Attributes store defined data values. #### Flags Flags are reports submitted by students when they believe there is a problem with a question. Where question reporting is enabled in the quiz player, a student can choose an issue such as **factually incorrect**, **low quality**, **inappropriate** or **other**, and can add a comment describing the problem. A comment is required when they choose **Other**. The **Flags** tab shows the question's outstanding reports. Each row includes the issue, the student's comment and the student who submitted it. After checking the question and making any necessary changes, select **Resolve** to mark the report as reviewed. Resolved reports are removed from the outstanding list. {% hint style="info" %} A flag does not automatically change the question or remove it from a quiz. It brings the reported issue to an administrator's attention so that they can review the content and decide what action to take. {% endhint %} ### Save and preview Select **Save** to keep the question and remain in the editor, or **Save and add next** when building several questions in sequence. Preview after any change that affects layout, media, variables, timing or answer controls. {% hint style="info" %} Preview shows the candidate-facing quiz player. It is the quickest way to confirm that the stem, response area, marking instruction and available controls tell the same story. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://synap.ac/docs/platform/quizzes/questions-and-answers.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.