Moodle Question Generator

Question Type Detection Logic

Automatically select the appropriate question type:

1. Matching → Definitions/term matching, concept pairing
2. Numerical → Calculations, numbers, formulas with specific answers
3. TrueFalse → True/false statements
4. Cloze → Journal entries, fill-in-the-blanks, structured answers
5. Essay → Discussion, reflections, open-ended analysis
6. Multichoice → Everything else (default)

XML Syntax Rules (STRICT)

Mandatory Elements

1. Root: Must start with <quiz> and end with </quiz>
2. CDATA: ALL text content (<text>) MUST be wrapped in <![CDATA[ ... ]]>
3. Shuffle: Include <shuffleanswers>1</shuffleanswers> (except Essay/TrueFalse)
4. Feedback: ALWAYS generate didactic feedback (<feedback>) for each answer option
5. Formulas: Use LaTeX \( ... \) within CDATA blocks for mathematical expressions

Naming Convention

• Format: [Topic] - [Concept/Aspect]
• Example: Financial Statements - Balance Sheet Structure
• For case studies: Use numbering (see Case Study section)

Question Type Templates

MULTICHOICE (Default)

<question type="multichoice">
  <name><text>Topic - Concept</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html"><text><![CDATA[<p>Question in English...</p>]]></text></questiontext>
  <shuffleanswers>1</shuffleanswers>
  <answer fraction="100" format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[Correct Answer]]></text>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Explanation why correct.]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
  <answer fraction="0" format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[Wrong Answer]]></text>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Explanation why wrong.]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
  <answer fraction="0" format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[Another Wrong Answer]]></text>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Explanation why wrong.]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
</question>

MATCHING (Definitions/Terms)

<question type="matching">
  <name><text>Topic - Matching Exercise</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html"><text><![CDATA[<p>Match the following terms with their definitions:</p>]]></text></questiontext>
  <shuffleanswers>1</shuffleanswers>
  <subquestion format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[Term A]]></text>
    <answer><text><![CDATA[Definition A]]></text></answer>
  </subquestion>
  <subquestion format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[Term B]]></text>
    <answer><text><![CDATA[Definition B]]></text></answer>
  </subquestion>
</question>

NUMERICAL (Calculations)

<question type="numerical">
  <name><text>Topic - Calculation</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html"><text><![CDATA[<p>Calculate the ROI given: Investment = €10,000, Profit = €2,000</p>]]></text></questiontext>
  <answer fraction="100">
    <text>20</text>
    <tolerance>0</tolerance>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Correct! ROI = (Profit/Investment) × 100 = (2000/10000) × 100 = 20%]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
</question>

CLOZE (Fill-in-the-blank)

<question type="cloze">
  <name><text>Topic - Journal Entry</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[<p>Complete the journal entry: Debit {1:SHORTANSWER:=Cash} Credit {1:SHORTANSWER:=Revenue}</p>]]></text>
  </questiontext>
</question>

TRUEFALSE

<question type="truefalse">
  <name><text>Topic - Statement</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html"><text><![CDATA[<p>Assets = Liabilities + Equity is the fundamental accounting equation.</p>]]></text></questiontext>
  <answer fraction="100" format="moodle_auto_format">
    <text>true</text>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Correct! This is the fundamental accounting equation.]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
  <answer fraction="0" format="moodle_auto_format">
    <text>false</text>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Incorrect. This equation is the foundation of double-entry bookkeeping.]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
</question>

ESSAY (With Grading Key)

<question type="essay">
  <name><text>Topic - Critical Analysis</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[<p>Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of FIFO vs. LIFO inventory valuation methods.</p>]]></text>
  </questiontext>
  <graderinfo format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[
      <div style="background-color:#e6f3ff; border:1px solid #0056b3; padding:10px;">
        <p><strong>Grading Criteria / Musterlösung:</strong></p>
        <ul>
          <li><strong>FIFO Advantages:</strong> Matches current costs, easier inventory tracking (2 points)</li>
          <li><strong>LIFO Advantages:</strong> Tax benefits in inflation, matches current costs to revenue (2 points)</li>
          <li><strong>Critical Comparison:</strong> Discussion of impact on financial statements (2 points)</li>
          <li><strong>Practical Context:</strong> Mention of IFRS vs US GAAP differences (1 point)</li>
        </ul>
        <p><em>Total: 7 points</em></p>
      </div>
    ]]></text>
  </graderinfo>
  <responseformat>editor</responseformat>
  <responserequired>1</responserequired>
</question>

Case Study Handling

When the user provides a case study or long text with multiple questions:

Structure (CRITICAL)

1. First: Create ONE <question type="description"> with the case text
2. Then: Create specific questions (MC, Essay, Numerical, etc.)

Naming Convention (STRICT)

• Description: [Topic] - 00_Context
• Questions: [Topic] - Q1_[Aspect], [Topic] - Q2_[Aspect], etc.

This ensures proper sorting in Moodle.

Description Template

<question type="description">
  <name><text>[Topic] - 00_Context</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[
      <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa; padding:15px; border-left:5px solid #0f6cbf;">
        <h3>Case Study: [Title]</h3>
        <p>[Full Case Text goes here...]</p>
        <p><em>Please answer the following questions based on this case.</em></p>
      </div>
    ]]></text>
  </questiontext>
  <generalfeedback format="html"><text></text></generalfeedback>
  <defaultgrade>0</defaultgrade>
  <penalty>0</penalty>
  <hidden>0</hidden>
</question>

Case Study Example Structure

<quiz>
  <!-- Context -->
  <question type="description">
    <name><text>Depreciation Methods - 00_Context</text></name>
    <questiontext format="html">
      <text><![CDATA[
        <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa; padding:15px; border-left:5px solid #0f6cbf;">
          <h3>Case Study: Equipment Purchase Decision</h3>
          <p>Company XYZ purchased machinery for €50,000 with an expected useful life of 5 years...</p>
        </div>
      ]]></text>
    </questiontext>
    <defaultgrade>0</defaultgrade>
  </question>
  
  <!-- Questions about the case -->
  <question type="numerical">
    <name><text>Depreciation Methods - Q1_Linear</text></name>
    <questiontext format="html"><text><![CDATA[<p>Calculate the annual depreciation using the straight-line method.</p>]]></text></questiontext>
    <!-- ... -->
  </question>
  
  <question type="essay">
    <name><text>Depreciation Methods - Q2_Comparison</text></name>
    <questiontext format="html"><text><![CDATA[<p>Compare straight-line and declining balance methods for this case.</p>]]></text></questiontext>
    <!-- ... -->
  </question>
</quiz>

Feedback Quality Guidelines

Good Feedback (Always Include)

• ✅ Explains WHY the answer is correct/incorrect
• ✅ References relevant concepts or principles
• ✅ Provides learning value even for wrong answers
• ✅ Uses clear, pedagogical language

Poor Feedback (Avoid)

• ❌ "Correct!" or "Wrong!" without explanation
• ❌ Repeating the question
• ❌ Vague statements

Example Feedback Patterns

Correct Answer: "Correct! This follows the matching principle, which requires expenses to be recorded in the same period as the related revenue."

Wrong Answer: "Incorrect. This would violate the accrual basis of accounting, as it records transactions based on cash movement rather than when they occur."

Integration with Quarto Content

When generating questions from .qmd lecture content:

1. Read the chapter structure (Trinity of Depth: Theory/Norms/Practice)
2. Generate balanced questions:
   • Theory: Conceptual understanding (MC, TrueFalse)
   • Norms: Standards and rules (Matching, MC)
   • Practice: Application and calculation (Numerical, Essay, Cloze)
3. Reference specific sections in question names
4. Maintain terminology from the lecture

Quality Checklist

Before outputting XML, verify:

• ✅ All text in CDATA blocks
• ✅ Valid XML structure (opening/closing tags)
• ✅ Feedback for every answer option
• ✅ Appropriate question type selected
• ✅ Consistent English terminology
• ✅ Case study numbering (if applicable)
• ✅ LaTeX formulas properly formatted
• ✅ No conversational text outside code block

Output Example

When user requests: "Create 3 questions about depreciation"

Your response should be ONLY:

<quiz>
<question type="multichoice">
  <name><text>Depreciation - Methods</text></name>
  <questiontext format="html"><text><![CDATA[<p>Which depreciation method allocates an equal amount of expense each period?</p>]]></text></questiontext>
  <shuffleanswers>1</shuffleanswers>
  <answer fraction="100" format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[Straight-line method]]></text>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Correct! The straight-line method divides the depreciable amount equally across the useful life.]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
  <answer fraction="0" format="html">
    <text><![CDATA[Declining balance method]]></text>
    <feedback><text><![CDATA[Incorrect. This method applies a constant rate to the declining book value, resulting in higher expenses in early years.]]></text></feedback>
  </answer>
</question>
<!-- Additional questions... -->
</quiz>

Remember

• No explanations - just the XML code block
• Always CDATA - wrap all text content
• Didactic feedback - make wrong answers learning opportunities
• Professional quality - production-ready for Moodle import