Software of the Month Club 1996 December/Software of the Month Club 1996 December.iso/pc/dos/sri/edu/qasa/demo1.def

Text File | 1995-10-14 | 17.7 KB | 672 lines

                          Sample QASA Database

This file must be compiled with QASA's database compiler, which will
create the file DEMO1.QA.

This sample database contains questions and answers about QASA.

A QASA database may contain any of the following options. Any line
not part of one of the following options is considered to be a comment,
which is why this explanatory text may appear here. All of these options
MUST appear alone on a line. The text below is ignored because other text
appears on the line containing each option keyword.

Q=    question on following lines, terminated by a blank line or
    another option.
A=    answer on following lines, terminated by a blank line or
    another option.
H=      explanatory help text for preceding question/answer is on the
    following lines, terminated by a blank line or another
    option.
P=    strip all punctuation from following answer list.
N=    quiz name is on next line.
M=    macro definition on following lines, terminated by a blank
    line or another option.
T=    time allowed is on next line in the format HH:MM:SS.
C=    clear NOT allowed. No additional lines.
S=    lock in sequential mode (user cannot change mode). No additional
    lines.
R=    lock in random mode (user cannot change mode). No additional
    lines.
F=    output score filename is on next line (no score recording
    if omitted).
E=    encrypt score file.
W=    assign weighting. Weight appears as an integer on the next line.
    This weight will be used for all questions following until and
    unless another weight is assigned.
D=    disable display of correct answers if answer is incorrect. No
    additional lines.
G=      define letter grade equivalency list or disable display of
    letter grades during execution. To disable letter grade
    display, the following line should contain "OFF" only. Otherwise,
    any number of following lines contain the grade equivalencies
    in the form <score>=<letter grade>.
L=      limit the number of questions to a subset of the total number of
        questions in the database. The number of questions in the subset
        is specified on the following line.
O=      omit the questions in the subset at compile time. Ignored without
        the L= keyword. If L= is given without O=, then the subset will
        be selected at run-time, giving a different subset each time the
        database is run. If O= is given with L=, then the subset will be
        determined by the compiler and the database will be the same each
        time the program is run.
V=    view literal answers. Causes first five (or fewer) characters of
    the asnswer the user keyed in to be included in the score file
    point matrix. This is BEFORE any preprocessing with the exception
    that leading blanks are skipped.
I=    Ignore character
K=    Keep adminstrator's name (request it and record it in the score
    file). No effect if score file not used.
X=    Sets the length of eXported answers. The length is specified on
    the following line. If two numbers are given, separated by a
    comma, then the first is the length of answers that are kept
    internally, and the optional second number is the length of the
    answers that will be exported to the score file. The second
    number can never be larger than the first.

In this sample database, questions are weighted by type as follows:
    multiple-choice        1 point each
    true/false (yes/no)    2 points each
    fill-in            3 points each

Again, note that comments are just about free-form. Place them anywhere
except between option keywords and their termination. QASA will discard
all comment text as it compiles this file, so you are not penalized for
commenting your databases.

The sample database configuration follows....

==========================================================================

If this character appears in column 1, ignore it (skip over it)
but do not count the line as blank. This allows spacing lines in
explanatory help text. Do not use anywhere else.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I=
*        (This is the default. To disable ignore, leave this line blank.)

Set the time limit to 10 minutes.
---------------------------------
T=
10:00

Name the database. This name is displayed in QASA's main window.
----------------------------------------------------------------
N=
QA Study Aid Example Database #1

Specify a score file. If it already exists, score data will be
appended. Otherwise, a new file will be created using this name.
----------------------------------------------------------------
F=
demo1.scr

Specify that we want the score file to contain literally what the user
entered for each answer. This allows an analysis of consistently
incorrect answers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
V=

To specify that we want the score file to contain the name of the
test administrator (and therefore to prompt for it), use the K=
option. This only has an effect if a score file name is specified.
------------------------------------------------------------------
K=

Limit the number of questions to a random 20 out of the total of 25,
and omit the "O=" switch (causes the choice to be made at run time).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
L=
20
O= (turned off)

These are the 'true' and 'false' macro definitions...
-----------------------------------------------------

M=
$TRUE$
True
T
Yes
Y

M=
$FALSE$
False
F
No
N

Define the letter grade equivalency list. The last line (59.99) causes
the letter grade display to be omitted until the user achieves a score
of at least 59.99. Set this to 0 to always display the letter grade.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

G=
95    = A+
90    = A
85    = A-
83    = B+
80    = B
75    = B-
73    = C+
70    = C
67    = C-
65    = D+
63    = D
60    = D-
59.99 = F

If we wanted to turn off the display of letter grades so the letter
grade would be shown only when the quiz was completed and in the
score file (if defined), then we would use the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------------

G=                   [this turns G= into normal text]
OFF

==========================================================================

The first question follows, with a weight of 3.
-----------------------------------------------

W=
3

Ignore all punctuation in the answer.
-------------------------------------
P=

Q=
 1. Fill-in

 QASA requires a minimum of _____ bytes of memory.

A=
 QASA requires at least 220K of memory.
 220000
 220K
 220KB
 220 K
 220 KB
H=
*
 QASA uses about 220KB with no database loaded.

==========================================================================

Now the weighting is changed to 1 before multiple-choice questions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

W=
1

P=

Q=
 2. Multiple-choice

 How many questions and answers can typically be put in a QASA
 database, assuming your computer has 620K bytes of free memory
 when QASA is started?

    A. 1000
    B. Limited by disk space
    C. 20,000
    D. All of the above
    E. None of the above

A=
    B. Limited by disk space. QASA will overflow to disk if necessary.
    B

H=
*
 QA Study Aid will read the database index into memory if
 it will fit. Any part of the database index that will not
 fit into memory is automatically overflowed to disk.

==========================================================================

Q=
 3. Multiple-choice

 How does QASA determine the correct answer?

    1. It knows the answers
    2. By scanning the list of answers in the database and scoring
       "correct" if your answer matches any of them.
    3. By reading your mind
A=
    2. By scanning the list of answers in the database
    By checking for matches.
    2
    Scanning
    Matching

==========================================================================

Q=
 4. Multiple-choice

 What will QASA do if my question won't fit in the 15 screen
 lines provided?

    1. Crash
    2. Truncate the question
    3. Display the question in 'pages'
A=
    2. Truncate the question
    2
    truncate

==========================================================================

Q=
 5. Multiple-choice

 Can QASA assign a "weight" to each question?

    a. Yes, provided the total weight adds up to 100.
    b. No.
    c. Yes, without restriction.
A=
    c. Yes, without restriction.
    c

Provide some help if the user gets the previous question wrong...
Note the asterisk (specified by I=) to get a spacing line.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
H=
*
 QASA allows you to assign an arbitrary weight to each question.
 The total weights are summed and adjusted so that all of the
 individual weights will equal 100 when the adjusted amounts
 are summed. This means you can add questions at any time and
 the relative weight of all questions will remain the same.

 This is NOT part of the above text because a blank line separates
 it. Use the character specified by the Ignore option "I=" (which
 is an '*' in this sample database) to cause a blank line to be
 ignored; e.g., link paragraphs.

==========================================================================

Change the weight to 2 for "true/false".
----------------------------------------

W=
2

Q=
 6. True/False

 There is a way to limit the time allowed to answer all questions.
A=
 $TRUE$

==========================================================================

And back to 1 again for multiple-choice.
----------------------------------------

W=
1

Q=
 7. Multiple-choice

 How does QASA save the score?

    1. By appending the score information to the file "QASA.SCR".
    2. It creates a score file defined by the "File/Open" command.
    3. By appending the score to the file defined in the database.
    4. Both 1 and 2 above.
    5. None of the above.
A=
    3. By appending the score to the file defined in the database.
    3
H=
*
 You may optionally define a score file, which may be on a network
 drive. If you do so, all score data will be appended to that file.
 You may also elect to encrypt the data to remove any temptation to
 modify the file or to view someone else's answers.

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 8. True/False

 The score file can be exported so that it can be used with other
 programs, such as database and spreadsheet programs.
A=
$TRUE$

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 9. True/False

 I can skip questions without answering them and come back to them later.
A=
$TRUE$
H=
*
 By pressing the ENTER key without answering, you can move on to
 the next question in the sequence. QASA will remember that you
 have skipped the question and will come back to it later.

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 10. Multiple-choice

 If letter grades are assigned, how do they correspond to the score?

    a. In multiples of 5, where 95 is "A", 90 is "B", and so on.
    b. Without restriction, using any grade equivalencies you choose.
    c. Letter grades are not supported.
A=
 b. Without restriction, using any grade equivalencies you choose.
 b
 b.
H=
*
 You create list of equivalents relative to a percentage score.
 QASA does not care what you use; 90% or better could result in
 a score of "Poised and Graceful".

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 11. Multiple-choice

 How does QASA locate my database?

    1. It searches the whole disk
    2. It searches the current directory
    3. It searches the directory specified in the "File/Open" command.
A=
    3. It searches the directory specified by "File/Open"
    3

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 12. Multiple-choice

 How does QASA locate its HELP file?
    1. It searches the whole disk.
    2. It searches the current directory.
    3. It searches the directory specified by the "File/Open" command.
    4. It searches all of the directories given by the PATH variable.
       5. It will ask for the directory if it cannot find the file.
    6. Both 2 and 4 above
    7. 2, 4, and 5 above
    8. All of the above
A=
    7. It searches the current directory, then the PATH, then asks.
    7

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 13. True/False

 QASA is distributed with features turned off to provide
 an incentive to register the program.
A=
No. No features are disabled, but there is a 25-question limit.
$FALSE$
H=
*
 You may evaluate all of the features that QASA provides. In the
 unregistered shareware version, however, the compiler restricts
 the number of questions in a compiled database to 25. Once you
 register QA Study Aid, recompiling will eliminate the limit.

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 14. True/False

 The name of the database definition file must end with ".QA".

A=
No! It CANNOT end with ".QA". The QASA compiler uses this extension!
$FALSE$

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 15. Multiple-choice

 The number of correct answers that I can give for a question is

    A. Two
    B. Five
    C. Unlimited
    D. Limited by available memory
A=
    D. Limited by available memory, but essentially unlimited.
    D
H=
*
 Try to imagine an answer list of significant size - say, 4000
 characters. If you can imagine that, you might imagine a more
 effective way to phrase the question.

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 16. Multiple-choice

 How much memory will QASA use?

    1. As much as is available below 640K.
    2. All memory, including Extended (XMS) and Expanded (EMM) memory.
    3. Two full 64K frames.
    4. All of the above.
    5. None of the above.
A=
 1. As much as is available below 640K.
 1

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 17. True/False

 QASA can handle an essay question.
A=
No. Scoring an essay question would require language interpretation.
$FALSE$
H=
*
 QASA would not be able to score an essay question (wait about
 ten more years...). The best it would be able to do would be
 some type of pattern matching technique, which would, in effect,
 require YOU to create some horribly complicated set of expression
 and grammar rules that would likely be wrong much of the time.
*
 Beyond that, an essay answer could be stored for later grading by
 manual means. Automated scoring is one of the primary benefits
 of computer-based testing. You can retain this benefit by avoiding
 essay questions.

==========================================================================

Note that with an assigned weight of zero, this question will not
penalize the user if answered incorrectly...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
W=
0

Q=
 18. Multiple-choice

 Where is the password stored that enables access to the score file?

    A. In the configuration file QASA.CFG.
    B. In the help file QASA.HLP.
    C. In a hidden file on disk.
    D. Both A and C above.
    E. None of the above.
A=
Did you really think we were going to give you the correct answer?
E
H=
*
 No, this isn't a trick question. But it shows that YOU are
 in control! Your score will not be penalized.

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 19. Multiple-choice

 Which of the answers given in the database does QASA display as correct
 if I answer incorrectly?

    1. All of them
    2. The last one
    3. The first one
A=
    3. The first one
    First
    3
    1st

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 20. True/False

 QASA regards case ("A/a") in an answer as significant.
A=
$FALSE$
H=
*
 QASA regards punctuation (optionally) as significant, but it
 is not case-sensitive.

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 21. Multiple-choice

 What will QASA do if I put tabs in my database?

    1. It will crash
    2. It will expand them using 8-column tab stops
    3. It will convert them to blanks
A=
    2. The QASA compiler will expand them using 8-column tab stops.
    2
    expand

==========================================================================

Q=
 22. Multiple-choice

 How does QASA locate the keyword tags (e.g., Q=, A=) in the database?

    1. It looks at the first character of each line
    2. It looks for those characters alone on a line
    3. It assumes 7-line spacing
        A=
    2. It looks for those characters alone on a line
    2

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 23. True/False

 QASA is public domain, or 'freeware'.

A=
NO! QASA is SHAREWARE. If you use it, you must pay the registration fee.
$FALSE$

==========================================================================

W=
1

Q=
 24. Multiple-choice

 What if I want to change the database file?

    1. You may change it any time you wish.
    2. You must recompile it.
    3. You cannot change the database.
A=
    2. You must recompile it using the QASA compiler.
    2

==========================================================================

W=
2

Q=
 25. True/False

 I can stretch out a timed quiz by using F1 (help). The clock stops
 while I'm in help.
A=
False. The clock is still running. It doesn't update inside help.
$FALSE$

==========================================================================

End of sample database.....
---------------------------