How do I insert a drop down list of choices in a paragraph in a Canvas quiz?

[JennMergens]

I am trying to create a quiz in which students will read a passage that has missing sentence parts.  Students will need to click a drop down list and choose the correctly worded sentence part and then continue reading.  Each passage would have 4-5 sentence corrections to be made within the quiz.  Is there a way for me to do this?

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

Hi @JennMergens ...

Yes, this should be possible in either Classic Quizzes or the New Quizzes interface of Canvas.  I'm not sure which one you are using, but I'll try and explain procedures for both:

For Classic Quizzes, you'd want to use the "Multiple Dropdowns" question type.  When you select this question type, Canvas actually gives you an example of how to format your question.  The example is:

Roses are [color1], violets are [color2]

When you put the words in brackets like this, then Canvas detects that, and it will give you an area below your question where you can type in the correct answer choice along with any other distractors (incorrect answers).

For more information on this, you can check out: How do I create a Multiple Dropdown quiz question?

For New Quizzes, the question type to select is a bit different.  You'll want to choose the "Fill in the Blank" question type.  When you are typing in your question/paragraph with dropdowns for your students to select from, you will use the backticks character ... which is the character immediately to the left of the number 1 on your keyboard...that almost looks like a single quotation mark.  Here's an example that I've enlarged a bit so you can see the distinction:

roses are `color1` violets are `color2`

vs. this with a single quotation mark (which you do not want to do):

roses are 'color1' violets are 'color2'

When you use the backticks, you'll be able to select from a few different options for your correct answer and distractors: Open Entry, Dropdown, or Word Bank.  Select the Dropdown option, and you'll be able to add in your correct answer and any distractors/incorrect answers as needed.

Here's a Guide with further information on this: How do I create a Fill in the Blank question in New Quizzes?

I hope this information will be helpful for you for either case.  Please let Community members know if you have any other questions about this...thanks!

[JennMergens]

Thank you so much!  An additional question, can I add more than one fill in the blank drop down in a single question?  I have a 3 paragraph passage with 5 different sentences that need drop down choice.  I have 1 working great but I can't seem to get a second one accepted using the back tick.

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @JennMergens ...

Yes, you should be able to have multiple blanks in your paragraph.  Take a look at the screenshot in the second link I had provided the other day under the heading "Add Question Title and Stem".  That shows a good example of the "roses are red, violets are blue" question.  Make sure the backticks are immediately before and after the word you are using...and make sure that each word that you surround with backticks is different.  So, for example, if you need five different drop-downs in your paragraphs, you might have:

`word1`
`word2`
`word3`
`word4`
`word5`

...and then when the options appear on the screen, you can add in a correct answer for each along with any distractors.

Hope this helps!

[JohnRobinson78]

• Use the “Multiple Dropdowns” question type (if available) for inserting choices inline.
• Alternatively, split your passage around blanks and use multiple choice or dropdown questions after each part.
• Make sure to preview it so the flow feels natural to students.
• if still got problem, use an ai app from happymod for help, with this ai you can share your visual problems and it guides live as it is seeing your screen