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Turn a reading passage into several Canvas-ready quiz questions

Upload your slides, notes or readings. DeckOwl writes questions that all point back to one shared passage, figure or case, each with an explanation.

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Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

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How a stimulus-based quiz is built

Many courses use a stimulus-based quiz format, where one passage, graph, image or case study anchors several questions. Students read the stimulus once and answer questions that depend on it, which tests comprehension rather than memorized facts.

Pull the stimulus directly from your own readings, slides or notes.
Mix question types so students cannot guess from patterns.
Check that every question can be answered from the stimulus text or figure.
Write explanations that name the evidence in the stimulus, not just the right letter.

Example stimulus-based quiz questions

Stimulus: A town cut bus fares, and ridership rose steadily over the next year. Which conclusion is best supported by this passage?Lower fares were associated with higher ridership, but the passage does not prove they were the only cause, because the answer must stay within the evidence given.

Stimulus: A lab report says enzyme activity was measured at two temperatures while pH and substrate amount stayed constant. Which variable was the independent variable?Temperature, because the researcher deliberately changed it while holding the other factors constant.

Stimulus: A factory worker's 19th-century letter describes twelve-hour shifts with no breaks. Which historical claim does this source best support?Working conditions were long and demanding, because the worker describes that firsthand and the claim stays within what the source shows.

Stimulus: A graph shows demand unchanged while the supply curve shifts right and the equilibrium price falls. Which change does the graph show?An increase in supply, because more is offered at each price, which pushes the equilibrium price down.

Stimulus: A poem describes a cold, gray harbor at dusk with no voices or movement. Which mood does the imagery most likely convey?Bleak or melancholy, because the cold colors, empty scene and dusk setting create that tone.

Generate the full set

One stimulus, many questions

Each passage, chart or case becomes the anchor for several questions, so students practice reading the same material from different angles.

Multiple choice, true/false or open

Choose the question types you need. Every question comes with an explanation of the correct answer.

Export when you need it

Download PDF or DOCX on Plus. QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML export are available on Pro.

How it works

Upload your source

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes or a photo of a page. Photos are read with text recognition.

Pick a stimulus and question type

Select the passage or figure you want to build on, then choose multiple choice, true/false or short answer.

Review and export

Check each question and explanation, edit anything you want to change, then study in the browser or export.

Writing these by hand takes time, especially when each stimulus needs questions with clear distractors and accurate explanations. DeckOwl drafts the stimulus and the questions from your own material, so you can review and adjust them before they go into a quiz.

Keep stimuli short and self-contained. Each question should be answerable from the stimulus alone, with no outside knowledge the class has not covered.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I write a good stimulus for a quiz question?

Use a short passage, figure or case that contains everything needed to answer. Then write questions that each test one specific reading of it, and avoid stimuli that depend on content students have not covered.

How many questions should share one stimulus?

Three to five questions per stimulus is a common range. That is enough to test understanding from several angles without making students reread the same material too many times.

Can I export these quizzes to Canvas?

QTI 2.1 export is available on the Pro plan at $14.99 per month. PDF and DOCX export are included with Plus at $39 per year or $7.99 per month.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, but it does not include exports. No credit card is needed to start.

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Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.