Oxford University Press Text Capture Instructions

 

Capturing multiple-choice questions and answers

Multiple-choice questions and answers are made up of a question or scenario followed by a list of possible answers. To indicate the constituent elements of the questions and answers for web-based testing systems add role attributes to flag the XML elements that contain the questions and answers. Also add xref elements to link the questions to their answers.

The design of questions and answers varies between books. However, OUP have kept the list of elements short and consistent. Use standard OUP text elements to capture multiple-choice questions within the normal hierarchy of chapters, sections, parts, div1, div2, etc.
  1. If both questions and answers are presented together as a section within a chapter, then start a new div[1-7,N] element (e.g. div1). Alternatively, depending on their location in the book, start the capture with a miscMatter or chapter element.
  2. If the questions and answers are together, add two divisions within the parent (e.g. div2), one for the questions, and one for the answers. If the answers are in another part of the book, create div[1-7,N] elements for each at the appropriate level for the context in which they are found.
  3. For the division containing the questions, set attribute role="Q".
  4. For the division containing the answers, set attribute role="A".
  5. If the questions are divided into sub-sections, with headings indicating the subject matter, or the type of the questions, create div[1-7,N] elements at the next level (e.g. div3.)These divisions do not require a role attribute.
  6. Create a new div[1-7,N] element at the next level for each question (e.g. div3.)Identify the type of question and give this element a role of either:
    • SBA-question for Single Best Answers
    • TFMCQ-question for True/False Multiple Choice Questions
    • EMQ-question for Extended Matching Questions
  7. Create div[1-7,N] elements at the appropriate level for each question’s answer. Give this element a role value of the same type as the question it answers:
    • SBA-answer for Single Best Answers
    • TFMCQ-answer for True/False Multiple Choice Questions
    • EMQ-answer for Extended Matching Questions

Sub-topics

  1. Generic Multiple Choice Questions

    Generic multiple choice questions, are multiple choice questions that do not require the SBA, TF, or EMQ mark-up. Capture role="Q" for questions sections, and role="A" for answer explanations of the questions (note, not all questions will come with answer explanations).

  2. Single Best Answers (SBAs)

    SBAs consist of a single question followed by a list of several answer options. Only one of these is the correct answer.

  3. True or False Multiple Choice Questions (TFMCQs)

    TFMCQs consist of a single question, followed by several possible answer options that are either true or false.

  4. Extended Matching Questions (EMQs)

    EMQs are questions posed as scenarios that have a corresponding answer drawn from a defined list of answer options.

  5. Question multiple-choice options

    Multiple-choice questions have listed answer options. Capture options as item1 elements within a structured list with role="option".

  6. Question attributes

    The elements that make of questions depend on the type of question.

  7. Answer attributes

    Answers can contain headings, answers and explanations.

  8. Further reading links to other OUP books

    If an explanation contains a link to another OUP book, capture the link as a span element with attribute role="further-reading".

  9. Alternate Version tagging of questions

    In some cases, a question may need to use alternate version tagging to mark a question so that it will display properly on both print and digital products.

Release ID:
20260304
ID:
Q_and_A_TCI_topic_4
Author:
dunnm
Last changed:
Wed, 04 Jun 2025
Modified by:
buckmasm
Revision#:
4400