Interactive exercise types which you can ask AI to create
| Exercise type | What the learner does | Particularly useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Gap fill | Types missing words | Vocabulary, grammar, collocation |
| Multiple choice | Selects an answer | Grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening |
| Multiple-answer | Selects all correct answers | Reading, vocabulary, interpretation |
| True/false | Decides whether statements are correct | Reading/listening comprehension |
| Matching | Matches words, phrases or sentences | Vocabulary, definitions, functions |
| Ordering | Puts items into the correct sequence | Stories, processes, dialogue |
| Sentence ordering | Reconstructs a sentence from jumbled words | Syntax and word order |
| Dialogue completion | Supplies a missing response | Spoken English |
| Error correction | Finds and corrects an error | Grammar and editing |
| Transformation | Rewrites a sentence in another form | Grammar |
| Categorisation | Sorts items into groups | Vocabulary and concepts |
| Odd one out | Identifies the item that doesn't belong | Vocabulary/semantics |
| Cloze with choices | Chooses the appropriate word for each gap | Contextual vocabulary |
| Drag-and-drop matching | Moves items to their corresponding answers | Vocabulary and concepts |
| Flashcards with checking | Reveals/enters answers | Vocabulary |
| Dictation | Types what is heard | Listening |
| Listening comprehension | Answers questions about audio | Listening |
| Pronunciation discrimination | Chooses what was heard | Phonology |
| Minimal-pair discrimination | Identifies one of two sounds/words | Pronunciation |
| Dialogue role-play | Responds to a simulated speaker | Speaking |
| Short-answer questions | Types a response | Reading/thinking |
| Scenario decisions | Chooses an appropriate response | Pragmatics |
| Information-gap tasks | Uses information to solve a problem | Communication |
Sources of JavaScript test-type authoring packages
(for teachers who wish to create or use ready-made interactive quizzes to run on web browsers or the web):
Older ways of producing interactive exercise-types
1) Hot Potatoes Software Suite created by Martin Holmes allows you to author popular test formats such as Gap-Fill (JCloze), Multiple Choice (JQuiz), Matching (JMatch) and Jumbled Sentences (JMix).
It also allows you to create crossword puzzles (JCross) using grids of virtually any size which can be completed online.
2) The Internet TESL Journal offers many ready-made English Grammar Quizzes Using JavaScript. Click HERE to see an example of a self-correcting test, authored using a Javascript template.
Also offered are ready-made crosswords from easy to medium and difficult.
3) Fun Web pages with JavaScript by John Shelley (2000 Bernard Babani Publishing Ltd) ISBN 0 85934 483 5 - suitable for teachers (interested in computer programming!) who would enjoy the challenge of writing their own authoring software (i.e. Javascript Template) for their language test to run interactively: