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What a question record contains

At the data-model level, a LearnTerms question includes:
  • moduleId
  • order
  • type
  • stem
  • options
  • correctAnswers
  • optional explanation
  • aiGenerated
  • status
  • optional author metadata
This means a question is more than just prompt text. It is a structured object that has to behave correctly in study mode, generation workflows, search, and test assembly.

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Supported question types

The shared type definitions currently include:
  • multiple_choice
  • true_false
  • fill_in_the_blank
  • matching
Not every UI surface exposes every type equally, but contributors should still understand the full supported model.

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Writing a strong stem

A strong LearnTerms stem should:
  • ask one clear thing
  • avoid unnecessary ambiguity
  • stay tied to module-specific source material
  • support a rationale that teaches, not just confirms correctness
If a question cannot be explained cleanly after the answer is revealed, it usually needs revision.

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Options and correct answers

Options are stored as structured entries with IDs and text. Correct answers are stored separately as an array of option IDs or matching tokens, depending on question type. For contributors, that means:
  • options must be distinct enough to evaluate reliably
  • answer IDs matter, not just displayed order
  • matching questions require more care because the evaluation model is more complex than a simple single-answer check

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Explanations

The explanation field is optional in the schema, but in practice it is highly valuable. Good explanations should:
  • explain why the correct answer is correct
  • explain why likely distractors are wrong when helpful
  • reinforce the module concept rather than restating the stem
If LearnTerms is going to be more useful than rote memorization, explanations are one of the main reasons.

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AI-generated vs manually authored

Questions can be marked as aiGenerated, but that flag should not be treated as a quality badge. It is provenance, not proof. Generated questions should still be reviewed for:
  • factual correctness
  • curriculum relevance
  • clarity
  • answerability
  • alignment with the source material

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Media attachments

Question media is supported through a dedicated questionMedia table. Current rules include:
  • images only
  • 8MB maximum size
  • optional alt text and caption
  • optional showOnSolution behavior
That last flag matters. Some images should be visible only after the student answers, especially when the media would otherwise give away the result too early.

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Status and curation expectations

Questions also carry a status, which makes it possible to distinguish between material that is ready for students and material that still needs review. Contributors should treat question writing as curation, not just entry:
  1. verify the source
  2. write clearly
  3. attach media only when it improves understanding
  4. include explanation when possible
  5. place the question in the correct module