Respondus allows you to import the following file formats:

  • Plain text (.txt)
  • Rich-text (.rtf)
  • MS Word (.doc and .docx)
  • Tab/comma delimited (.csv) format
  • StudyMate Class format (.zip and .xml)

Respondus allows you to import the following question types:

Note:

Questions MUST BE formatted properly in order for the import process to work correctly.

Question Types – Specific Formatting Requirements

Before questions can be imported into Respondus they must be organized in a specific format. Each question type has required formatting elements that must be followed in order for the question to import properly.

Below are the specific formatting requirements for each question type that can be imported into a D2L course. An example of each question type is provided.

For All Question Types

  • Each question must begin with a question number, followed by either a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. The question wording must follow the question number. At least one space should be between the question number and the question wording.
  • Correct answers are identified by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (unless otherwise instructed).
  • DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice.
  • If a correct answer is not marked, Respondus will automatically select the letter “A” as the correct answer.
  • You will be warned if a question does not have an answer selected for it prior to completing the import.
Essay (Written Response)

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: E”. The next line begins with the question number, and the question wording. On a new line, add the essay answer, beginning with “a.” or “a)”, followed by the text.

Question Example – Essay (Written Response)
Type: E

4. How is the Michelson-Morley experiment related to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity?

a) In 1887, Albert Michelson and Edward Morely carried out experiments to detect the change in speed of light due to ether wind when the Earth moved around the sun. The result was negative. They found the speed of light is always the same regardless of Earth’s motion around the sun. Scientists were puzzled with this negative result, and they didn’t know how to explain it. Albert Einstein came up with the answer in his famous second postulate in theory of relativity: that the speed of light (in vacuum) is always constant and absolute, regardless of its source’s motion and observer’s movement.

Fill in the blank

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: FMB”. The next line begins with the question number, and the question wording. The words to be filled in are placed in [square brackets]. Fill in the blank questions can include up to 10 words to be filled in, each of which can have up to 20 correct answers. Respondus allows multiple correct answers per [blank] to be specified by separating each correct answer inside the brackets with commas.

Question Example – Fill in the Blank
Type: FMB

5. A [rose, red flower] by any other [name] would smell as [sweet, good].

Matching

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: MT”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the questions wording. Each answer option should consist of both parts of a correct match, and must begin with a letter (a-t) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. The two parts of the match must be separated with an equal symbol (=) and there should not be any hard returns or blank lines within either parts of the answer.

Question Example – Matching
Type: MT

4) Match the correct name to the discovery or theory.

a. Michelson-Morely = Speed of light
b. Einstein = Theory of Relativity
c. Marconi = radio waves

Multiple choice

Each question must begin with a question number, followed by the question wording. Each answer option must begin with a letter (A-Z) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. Identify the correct answer by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice).

Question Example – Multiple Choice

3. Who determined the exact speed of light?

a. Albert Einstein
*b. Albert Michelson
c. Thomas Edison
d. Guglielmo Marconi

Multiple response (multi-select)

The first line of the formatting must begin with “Type: MR”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the question wording. Each answer option must begin with a letter (A-Z) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. Each correct answer is identified by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choices).

Question Example – Multiple Response (Multi-Select)
Type: MR

3) Which of the following individuals are credited with determining the exact speed of light?

a. Albert Einstein
*b. Albert Michelson
*c. Edward Williams Morley
d. Thomas Edison

Ordering

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: ORD”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the question wording. Each answer option must begin with a letter (a-t) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. Answer options MUST BE in the correct order.

Question Example – Ordering
Type: ORD

5. Put the following Presidents in order of service?

a. George Washington
b. John Adams
c. Thomas Jefferson
d. James Madison
e. James Monroe

Short answer

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: S”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the question wording. Only one correct answer can be added per short answer question; however, it is possible to enter multiple, acceptable, forms of that answer.

Question Example – Short Answer
Type: S

5. Who is known as the “father of television”?

a. Zworykin
b. Vladimir Zworykin
c. Vladimir Kosma Zworykin

True or false

Each question must begin with a question number, followed by the question wording. The answer options must begin with the letter “a” and “b” followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. It’s important to note that the “True” (or “T”) answer choice must be listed prior to the “False” (or “F”) answer choice. If “False” appears first in the list, the question will be imported as a “multiple choice” question. Identify the correct answer by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice).

Question Example – True or False

3) Albert Michelson determined the exact speed of light?

*a) True
b) False