short answer

Meaning

A 'short answer' refers to a type of test question that requires a brief response, usually a few words or a couple of sentences, rather than a full essay. It can also refer to a concise, direct response to a complex question in conversation.

Examples

• The exam consists of ten multiple-choice questions and three short answer questions.

  The exam consists of ten multiple-choice questions and three short answer questions.

• To give you the short answer, yes, the project is due tomorrow.

  To give you the short answer, yes, the project is due tomorrow.

• Your short answer should be no longer than three sentences.

  Your short answer should be no longer than three sentences.

• I prefer short answer tests to writing long essays.

  I prefer short answer tests to writing long essays.

• The professor gave a short answer because we were running out of time.

  The professor gave a short answer because we were running out of time.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Please write a brief answer response for question five.

  ✓ Please write a short answer response for question five.

  While 'brief answer' is grammatically correct, 'short answer' is the standard academic term for this type of question.

• ✗ The short answer of the problem is forty-two.

  ✓ The short answer to the question is forty-two.

  We say 'answer to' a question or problem, not 'answer of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Section B of the history exam has five ___ questions.

  💡 Questions requiring brief, written responses.

  Show answer

  short answer

• The ___ is no, but the long explanation is more complicated.

  💡 A quick, direct response.

  Show answer

  short answer