Matching Questions with Examples, Types and Templates

Matching questions, which have a wide range of uses, are a type of question that can be answered by people of all ages, and is easy to understand and use.

Created by TestInvite / May, 2024

Owing to the features in the matching question editor in the Testinvite assessment-evaluation system, it can be configured to implement different options such as matching and filling in the blanks.

In the matching question, the candidates are asked a question and the question is followed by options. The candidates are asked to match the items with the predetermined options. They get success according to their correct matches.

Matching question example in which the candidate is asked to match items with options.
Matching question example in which the candidate is asked to match items with options.

Creating a Matching Question

Question text is created using a rich content editor. You can add an image, video, audio, reading passage, mathematical equations, formulas and statements. Question text can be created left-to-right or right-to-left. Owing to the features in the question maker editor, the matching question can easily become a "reading comprehension question", "listening comprehension question" or a "math question".

For all question creation features, check the features on our "Creating Questions" page.

Specifying Matching Options

Many items can be added to the matching question. For each added item, the candidate will be expected to select an option from the given options. Items can consist of simple text, formatted text, images, reading passages, audio, videos, and mathematical statements.

With the formatting options such as writing bold, italic, underlining, specifying the text color, specifying the font and size, and painting the text, the item can be created in the most accurate way.

Matching question example that is created by specifying each item.
Matching question example that is created by specifying each item.

Adding images to options

Images can be added to options. In this case each image will be matched with an option.

Example of a matching question created by adding images to options.
Example of a matching question created by adding images to options.

Adding reading passages to options

Options can consist of short texts, or long texts made up of paragraphs and lists. Passages may contain links. In cases where the options are reading passages, the candidate is expected to make a match for each reading passage.

Sample of a matching question created by adding a reading passage to each option in the question.
Sample of a matching question created by adding a reading passage to each option in the question.

Adding audio tracks to options

You can add audio tracks to options. In this case, candidates will first listen to the audio track in each option, then choose one of the options given regarding the audio record they have listened to, and match the audio track with an option.

Example of a matching question created by adding an audio record to each item in the question
Example of a matching question created by adding an audio record to each item in the question

You can adjuct the following “listen to audio record” settings for each audio record file uploaded to the items:

  • How many times will the candidate be able to listen to the audio file?
    • Will s/he be able to stop while listening?
      • Will the candidate be able to go forward-backward (by skipping) while listening?
        Adjusting the settings for the audio records added to the items via the admin panel.
        Adjusting the settings for the audio records added to the items via the admin panel.

        Adding video to options

        You can add videos to items. In this case, candidates will first watch the video in each item, then choose one of the options of the video they watched, and match the video with an option.

        A matching question example created by adding videos to question items.
        A matching question example created by adding videos to question items.

        You can adjust the “play video” settings for each video uploaded to the options:

        • How many times will the candidate be able to watch the audio file?
          • Will s/he be able to stop while watching?
            • Will the candidate be able to go forward-backward (by skipping) while watching?

              Adding mathematical expressions to options

              You can add mathematical statements, formulas, and equations to items, either by writing them in TeX or LaTeX format, or using the math editor. In this case, the candidate can list each mathematical statement or formula by matching it with an option in line with the options in the question.

              A matching question example in which candidates are asked to match the answers with the correct formula by adding a formula to the options
              A matching question example in which candidates are asked to match the answers with the correct formula by adding a formula to the options

              Adding file to options

              You can upload files to options. In this case, the candidate first downloads the files in the items, then after checking the files, he selects one of the options given for each file and matches the files with the options.

              Example of a matching question created by adding a file to each item
              Example of a matching question created by adding a file to each item

              Determining Options

              3 different approaches can be shown while determining the options.

              1. A common option pool can be created to match the items. In this case, each item is matched with one of the options in the common option pool.
                1. For each item, you can create an item-specific option list. In this case, various options can be offered for each item.
                  1. The above 2 approaches can be used together. That means you can create an option list for each item, and at the same time, a common option list for all items can ve created. In this case, the candidate can match each item either with one of the options created for the item or with one of the options in the common option pool.

                    Adding item-specific options

                    Each item can have its own options. In this case, the candidate can only match the related item with one of the options created for the item. Options added to the item are not listed in other items.

                    Sample of a matching question created by adding more than one option to each item
                    Sample of a matching question created by adding more than one option to each item

                    Matching options in a common option pool with multiple items

                    In case you want to define a common option list to which all items can be matched, you can add the options to the “Common Option Pool”. The options you add to the common option pool can be matched with all items.

                    Adjusting the settings for the number of uses of each option from the admin panel.
                    Adjusting the settings for the number of uses of each option from the admin panel.

                    When adding an option to the common option pool, you can limit the number of uses or set it to be unlimited. When you limit the number of uses of an option to a number, only that number of items can be matched with the related option.

                    Limiting The Number of Matches That Can Be Made

                    In a matching question, you can specify the minimum number of matches and the maximum number of matches.

                    Specifying the minimum and maximum number of matches that can be made from the admin panel.
                    Specifying the minimum and maximum number of matches that can be made from the admin panel.

                    In this way, you can give 5 options as an example and require a match to be made for minimum 2 and maximum 4 items.

                    Warning that shows how many options a candidate can select
                    Warning that shows how many options a candidate can select

                    Adding Tip to the Matching Questions

                    If you prefer, you can add a tip to the matching question. Tip can be used to prevent from some misunderstandings in the question or to assist a candidate who is having trouble answering the question.

                    Example of a matching question prepared with a tip.
                    Example of a matching question prepared with a tip.

                    Adding Feedback Content to Matching Questions

                    Correct and incorrect matches in matching questions can be shown to the candidate after the matching question is answered by the candidate, or after the candidate completed the test. If the candidate answered the question incorrectly, the “feedback content” to be added to the question and an explanation of the correct answer to the question or an explanation of why the distracters were incorrect can be shown.

                    A matching question example prepared by adding feedback.
                    A matching question example prepared by adding feedback.

                    Automatic Evaluation

                    Matching questions can be created for both success measurement and tendency measurement. In matching questions for measuring success, the candidate gets success in proportion to the correctness of the matches s/he has made, while in matching questions for measuring tendency, the tendency of the candidate to which aspect can be automatically evaluated.

                    Success measurement

                    Matches made by the candidate for response to the question can be automatically evaluated as correct-incorrect or partially correct by the assessment-evaluation system. For this, it should be defined which matches are correct, which matches are wrong, and if any, which matches are partially correct. You can set a penalty point for matches left blank, you can set a threshold for the whole question, or you can have zero points if the determined threshold is not passed.

                    Determining success rate for correct matches

                    You can set a success contribution rate for all the options the candidate can select for each item. The candidate gets success from the question in proportion to the total success contribution rates of all matches s/he makes.

                    Sample of determining the success contribution rate of the score that the candidate receives if s/he answers the questions correctly.
                    Sample of determining the success contribution rate of the score that the candidate receives if s/he answers the questions correctly.

                    Determining penalty rate for incorrect matches

                    If the candidate makes an incorrect match, you can set a negative contribution rate for the related match, if you want the overall success rate of the question to decrease.

                    An image of the determination of the negative contribution rate for the questions answered incorrectly on the admin panel.
                    An image of the determination of the negative contribution rate for the questions answered incorrectly on the admin panel.

                    Determining penalty rate for blank matches

                    If the candidate does not make a match for an item, if you want the total success rate of the question to decrease, you can determine the effect rate of leaving blank for the related match. In this case, for each blank match, the candidate gets less success than the question.

                    Sample of determining the rate of leaving blank if the candidate does not make a match for an item.
                    Sample of determining the rate of leaving blank if the candidate does not make a match for an item.

                    Determining the minimum success rate (threshold) to questions

                    When the candidate gets a success rate according to the correctness of the matches he/she makes, if the rate s/he gets is below the threshold you set, you can have the success rate set to zero automatically. For this, you can determine a “threshold rate” for the question.

                    The image of the minimum success rate added to the question from the admin panel.
                    The image of the minimum success rate added to the question from the admin panel.

                    Testing automatic evaluation with preview

                    In case you want to test how the success rates you have determined work, you can check how the system automatically evaluates the given answer by making matches upon your preference, from the preview panel in the matching question editor.

                    The image of testing the success rates determined from the admin panel.
                    The image of testing the success rates determined from the admin panel.

                    Determining the score of the question

                    You can set a default score for a question.

                    The image of determining the score of the question on the admin panel.
                    The image of determining the score of the question on the admin panel.

                    When questions are added to the test, the question's score on the test becomes the question's default score. You can then change the score of the question, specific to the test. In this way, the same question can have different scores on different questions.

                    Determining penalty score for a question

                    If the candidate answers the question incorrectly, which means, the success rate at the end of the matches s/he has made is negative, you can have the test score affected negatively. For this, you can set a negative score multiplier for the question.

                    The image of determining the negative score multiplier added to the question if the candidate answers the question incorrectly.
                    The image of determining the negative score multiplier added to the question if the candidate answers the question incorrectly.

                    Linking question with multiple dimensions

                    With one matching question, you can measure in multiple dimensions. For this, you can link the question to one or more aspects. For instance, in case you want a question to affect both the test score, the "geography" part and the "general culture" part, you can also link the question to the "geography" and "general culture" dimensions.

                    The image from the admin panel where the dimensions to which question is linked can be determined.
                    The image from the admin panel where the dimensions to which question is linked can be determined.

                    When the question is linked to a dimension, dimensions can be designed in a hierarchical structure. For instance, in case you link the question to a dimension that is called "math/prime numbers", the question will affect both math and prime numbers headings under math.

                    Evaluating tendency

                    In case you want to measure the candidate's tendency for a topic with the matching question, you can add a tendency impact score to the matches. In such matching questions, which are widely used in tests such as personality inventories and competency inventories, each matches made by the candidate can increase or decrease his/her score for a tendency.

                    The image of determining the tendency impact score from the admin panel.
                    The image of determining the tendency impact score from the admin panel.

                    Storing Matching Questions in the Question Bank

                    You can store all your matching questions in your question bank. For this, all you have to do is determining the folder name in which the question will be stored and the tags to which you will linked to the question. Folders and tags make it easy for you to quickly find the questions you want from the question bank.

                    Example of storing matching questions in the question bank with the 'matching' tag
                    Example of storing matching questions in the question bank with the 'matching' tag

                    Matching Question Types and Examples

                    True-false matching question type

                    When you add 2 options to the common option pool, the first is "true" and the second is "false", so it becomes a true-false matching question. The candidate will match all the items with either true or false.

                    Sample of a question created by matching the pictures with true-false options.
                    Sample of a question created by matching the pictures with true-false options.

                    Word matching questions

                    First the items as a word to become an item, then the options to match the items are determined.

                    Sample of a question in which the words in the options are matched with the synonyms
                    Sample of a question in which the words in the options are matched with the synonyms

                    Reading passages matching questions

                    The items are determined so that each item is a reading passage, then the options with which the reading passages can be matched are determined.

                    Image matching questions

                    An image is added to each item of the question. The candidate is asked to match one of the given options for each image.

                    Sample of a matching question created by adding pictures to the items
                    Sample of a matching question created by adding pictures to the items

                    Image parts matching questions

                    An image is uploaded to the question and numbers can be added to different parts of the picture in the picture. The candidate is asked to match the parts in the picture with the correct one from the given options.

                    Sample of a question in which it is asked to match the options with the numbers added on the image.
                    Sample of a question in which it is asked to match the options with the numbers added on the image.

                    Fill-in-the-blank questions

                    When configured as matching blanks with options, the matching question becomes a fill-in-the-blank question. A passage is given in the question and the blank parts in the text are marked with numbers. The candidate is asked to match each blank with one of the given options.

                    Example of a fill-in-the-blank question in which it is asked to match the blank parts in the paragraph with the options.
                    Example of a fill-in-the-blank question in which it is asked to match the blank parts in the paragraph with the options.

                    Video matching questions

                    A video is added to each item of the question. The candidate is asked to match each video with one of the options.

                    A matching question where videos are added to each option and the candidate is asked to match them with correct ones
                    A matching question where videos are added to each option and the candidate is asked to match them with correct ones

                    Audio track matching questions

                    An audio track is added to each item of the question. The candidate is asked to match each audio track with one of the options.

                    Example of a question in which it is asked to match the correct options with the audio file added to the items.
                    Example of a question in which it is asked to match the correct options with the audio file added to the items.

                    Mathematical expression matching

                    Each item of the question is determined to be a mathematical statement, equation, or formula. The candidate is asked to match the mathematical statements with one of the options.

                    Sample question that shows matching math questions containing formulas with correct answers
                    Sample question that shows matching math questions containing formulas with correct answers

                    Matching question with side content

                    Additional content to be placed to the left or right of the matching question can be added to the question. This content can include reading passage, video, an audio record or an image.

                    Sample of question that shows the feature of adding image additional information to the left side of the matching question
                    Sample of question that shows the feature of adding image additional information to the left side of the matching question

                    Demo Test Created with Matching Question Example

                    By getting the demo test we have prepared for you, you may have further information of the matching question types you may prepare with the Testinvite assessment and evaluation system.

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