Skip to content

Short Answer Questions

A short answer question asks for a brief written response — usually one to three sentences. Unlike fill-in-the-blank, there is more than one acceptable wording, so it is graded by rubric or by automated short-answer scoring.

How to approach it

Answer the exact thing asked, lead with the key point, and include the specific term or fact the grader is looking for. Brevity with the right keyword beats a long, vague answer.

Example

Give one cause of World War I. — A strong answer names a specific cause, such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and links it to the outbreak of war.

Common variants

  • One-sentence answer
  • Short explanation (2–3 sentences)
  • Define-the-term

Where you'll see it

How AI Solve Quiz helps with short answer questions

AI Solve Quiz models a concise, on-rubric answer and highlights the key terms a grader rewards, so you can compare and learn the structure.

AI Solve Quiz is a study and explanation tool for practice and learning. It must not be used during graded assessments or proctored exams — see our Academic Integrity Policy.

Frequently asked questions

How are short answer questions graded?
Against a rubric or accepted-answer list — increasingly with automated short-answer grading (ASAG) that matches meaning, not just exact words.

Related question types