Matching Question Type¶

Students pair items from a left column with items from a right column.

Basic Syntax¶

[matching]
Column A:
a) Item 1
b) Item 2
c) Item 3

Column B:
1) Match for Item 1
2) Match for Item 2
3) Match for Item 3

answer = a→1, b→2, c→3;

Format¶

Left column items use lowercase letters (a–z)
Right column items use numbers (1–9)
Answer pairs are formatted as a→1, b→2, c→3

Options¶

`answer` (required)¶

All correct pairings in the format left→right.

[matching]
Column A:
a) Photosynthesis
b) Digestion
c) Respiration

Column B:
1) Breaking down food for energy
2) Converting light energy to chemical energy
3) Converting chemical energy to ATP

answer = a→2, b→1, c→3;

`randomize`¶

true (default) — Shuffle right column order
false — Keep right column in defined order

[matching]
Column A:
a) Term 1
b) Term 2

Column B:
1) Definition 1
2) Definition 2

answer = a→1, b→2;
randomize = false;

Examples¶

Vocabulary & Definitions¶

Match each term with its definition.

[matching]
Column A:
a) Photosynthesis
b) Osmosis
c) Mitosis
d) Enzyme

Column B:
1) A biological catalyst that speeds up reactions
2) Process where a cell divides into two identical cells
3) Movement of water across a membrane
4) Process plants use to convert light energy into glucose

answer = a→4, b→3, c→2, d→1;
randomize = true;

Historical Figures & Accomplishments¶

Match each scientist with their major discovery.

[matching]
Column A:
a) Marie Curie
b) Albert Einstein
c) Isaac Newton
d) Charles Darwin

Column B:
1) Laws of motion and gravity
2) Theory of evolution
3) Relativity theory
4) Radioactivity

answer = a→4, b→3, c→1, d→2;
randomize = true;

Mathematical Concepts¶

Match each equation type with its general form.

[matching]
Column A:
a) Linear equation
b) Quadratic equation
c) Exponential equation
d) Cubic equation

Column B:
1) `y = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d`
2) `y = a*b^x`
3) `y = mx + b`
4) `y = ax^2 + bx + c`

answer = a→3, b→4, c→2, d→1;
randomize = true;

Grading¶

Student must correctly pair ALL items: - One incorrect pairing = Incorrect - All pairings correct = Correct

Grading is all-or-nothing unless specified otherwise in assessment settings.

Tips¶

Keep lists balanced: If Column A has 5 items, Column B should also have 5 options
Avoid obvious patterns: Don't let the order give away answers (e.g., a→1, b→2, c→3)
Use distractors: Include 1–2 extra right-column options that don't match anything
Keep content homogeneous: All items should be the same type (all definitions, all people, all equations)
Limit to 5–7 pairs: Beyond that, cognitive load increases significantly