Objective and Essay Item Construction Based On Bloom'S Cognitive Taxonomy by

OBJECTIVE AND ESSAY
ITEM CONSTRUCTION
BASED ON BLOOM'S
COGNITIVE TAXONOMY
By
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. PROF.

TESTING AND
MEASUREMENT DR. OTHMAN MD.JOHAN
MPF 2103
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 1

OBJECTIVES OF THE TALK
Participants should be able to:
 State the definition of the various cognitive levels of Bloom’s

Taxonomy, namely
- Knowledge
- Comprehension
- Application
- Analysis
- Synthesis
- Evaluation
2. State the keywords for each levels with relevant examples
3. Use the various cognitive levels in the construction of test questions

1. Cognitive Levels : Knowledge
Definition:
- Knowledge means the ability to recall or state information.

Place in the Hierarchy of Cognitive Skills:
- This is the lowest level of the hierarchy. It is necessary to be able to recall

information before it can be comprehended or used for higher level
activities.

1. Cognitive Levels : Knowledge
Cognitive Level Key Words Examples
Knowledge:
o Recall of data defines, describes,  Recite a policy.

identifies, knows,  Quote prices from
labels, lists, matches, memory to a
names, outlines, recalls, customer.
recognizes, reproduces,  Knows the safety
selects, states. rules.


Examples of knowledge questions
1 Which of the following are the raw materials for photosynthesis?
A Water, heat, sunlight

B Water, carbon dioxide, sunlight *
C Sunlight, oxygen, carbohydrates
D Carbon dioxide, sunlight, oxygen
2 Which of the following is one of the major approaches to psychology?
A Psychiatry
B Structuralism
C Psychoanalysis *
D New Age Movement

Language Arts:
- Recite a poem.
- State the title of the play in which someone says, "To be or not
to be…."
- State the rule for using a semicolon in a sentence.
- Spell "cat.“
Mathematics:
- State the formula for the area of a circle.
- State the definition of an isosceles triangle.
- Recite the multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.
Science:
- Define sexual reproduction.
- Describe sexual reproduction.
- Draw a diagram that describes sexual reproduction.

Physical Education:
- State the correct distance of a marathon.
- State the rule for balls and strikes in baseball.
- Describe what is meant by a sprained ankle.
Computer Literacy:
- Describe how to copy text from one program into another.
- State the correct definition of a disk operating system.
- Describe how to transfer files from a Macintosh system to a
Windows system that runs the same programs.

Educational Psychology:
- Give the definition of punishment.
{This would be a knowledge-level response if the learner answered by giving

the example that the textbook or lecturer had given. If the learner had to
make up his own example, this would be an example of application.}
- State the definition of application in Bloom's Taxonomy.
{This would be a knowledge-level response only if the difference is clearly

stated in a textbook or lecture and all the learner has to do is remember that
response. If the learner read the distinction in the book and had to
paraphrase it in order to give the answer, this would be an example of
comprehension. If the learner had to make up this distinction on his own, it
might be an example of synthesis.}

2. Cognitive Levels : Comprehension
Definition:
- Comprehension means the ability to give meaning to information.

- Knowledge is a prerequisite for comprehension.

Comprehension is a prerequisite for all higher-level activities.

2. Cognitive Levels : Comprehension
Comprehension:  Rewrites the principles

of test writing.
o Understand the comprehends, converts,  Explain in one’s own
meaning, translation, defends, distinguishes, words the steps for
interpolation, and estimates, explains, performing a complex
interpretation of extends, generalizes, task.
instructions and gives examples, infers,  Translates an equation
problems. interprets, paraphrases, into a computer
predicts, rewrites, spreadsheet.
o State a problem in summarizes, translates.
one's own words.

Examples of comprehension questions
1 If living cells similar to those found on earth were found on another planet where there
was no molecular oxygen, which cell part would most likely be absent?
A Nucleus
B Ribosome
C Mitochondria *
D Cell membrane
3 Why did John B. Watson reject the structuralist study of mental events?
A He actually embraced both structuralism and functionalism

B He believed that structuralism relied too heavily on scientific methods
C He rejected the concept that psychologists should study observable
behaviour
D He believed that scientists should focus on what is objectively
observable *

Language :
- Explain what a poem (or a line in a poem) means.

- Describe in your own words when it is proper to use a semicolon in a
sentence.
Mathematics:
- Given the mathematical formula for the area of a circle, paraphrase it using
your own words.
- What is meant by the definition of an isosceles triangle.
Science:
- Answer questions about sexual reproduction that demonstrate an

understanding of the component concepts.
- Explain in your own words what a recessive gene is.

Physical Education:
- State in your own words why a modern marathon is its current disatance.
- State in your own words the rule for balls and strikes in baseball.
- Describe in your own words what is meant by a sprained ankle.
{A very large number of objectives in a physical education class would be
psychomotor objectives, not cognitive outcomes.}
Computer Literacy:
- Describe in your own words how to copy text from one program into another.
- Answer questions to clarify the correct definition of a disk operating system. -
- Describe in your own words how to transfer files from a Macintosh system to
a Windows system that runs the same programs.

- Paraphrase accurately the textbook definition of punishment.

- Give in your own words the definition of application in Bloom's
Taxonomy.
- State the difference between the knowledge and comprehension
levels of Bloom's Taxonomy.
{This would be a knowledge-level response if the difference is

clearly stated in a textbook or lecture and all the learner has to do is
remember that response. If the learner read the distinction in the
book and had to paraphrase it in order to give the answer, this would
be an example of comprehension. If the learner had to make up this
distinction on his own, it might be an example of synthesis.}

3. Cognitive Levels : Application
Definition:
- Application entails the ability to use knowledge or principles in new or

real-life situations.
Clarification of terms in the definition:
- Application refers to rule using rather than problem solving, which means
a higher level of thinking. Bloom's use of the term application differs from
our normal conversational use of the term. When working at any of the
four highest levels of the taxonomy, we "apply" what we have learned. At
the application level, we "just apply." At the higher levels, we "apply and
do something else." Perhaps it would be best to think of this level as
simple application.

- Note that application and use are not synonymous. For example, a person
who spells "cat" correctly is not applying the rule for spelling cat. This is
a
simple knowledge task. However, a person who spelled "remedied" by
"changing the y to i and adding ed" would be applying that rule.

- Comprehension is a prerequisite for application. Application is a

prerequisite for analysis, synthesis, and evaluation

Application:
o Use a concept in a new applies, changes,  Use a manual to

situation or unprompted computes, constructs, calculate an
use of an abstraction. demonstrates, discovers, employee’s vacation
manipulates, modifies, time.
o Applies what was operates, predicts,  Apply laws of statistics
learned in the prepares, produces, to evaluate the
classroom into novel relates, shows, solves, reliability of a written
situations in the uses. test.
workplace.

Examples of application questions
1 Which one of the following memory systems does a piano-tuner mainly use in his or
her occupation?
A Echoic memory *
B Short-term memory
C Long-term memory
D Mono-auditory memory
3 A researcher shows erotic films to one group of subjects and violent films to another
group of subjects. The researcher then assesses the cooperativeness of each group of
subjects. The independent variable in this study is
A the type of film seen *

B the level of cooperativeness
C the level of sexual arousal in subjects
D the level of aggressiveness in subjects

Language :
- Write a part of a poem (perhaps by changing a metaphor or inserting a

different word that rhymed).
- Identify an example of a metaphor in a poem.
- Use the rule for a semicolon in a sentence.
Mathematics:
- Compute the area of actual circles.
- Recognize an isosceles triangle.
- Use the multiplication tables up to calculate that there are 144 people in a
with 12 pews and 12 people in each pew.
Science:
- Use principles about recessive genes to predict the results of matings one
and two generations later.
- Given examples of several characteristics and the results of

matings, designate which matings involved recessive genes.

Foreign Languages:
- Look at the clock and express the time correctly in French.
Physical Education:
- Given the alignment and activities of football players during a play, state whether
the defense was using a zone or man-to-man defense.
- State whether a pitch was a ball or strike in baseball.
- Correctly identify an example of a sprained ankle.
{A very large number of objectives in a physical education class would be
psychomotor objectives, not cognitive outcomes.}
Computer Literacy:
- Correctly copy text from one program into another.
- Correctly transfer files from a Macintosh system to a Windows system that runs the
same programs.

4. Cognitive Levels : Analysis
Definition:
- Analysis entails the ability to break down complex information into simpler parts
and to understand the relationships among the parts.
- In normal language, when we break down complex information into simpler parts,
we call this analysis.
- For example, the person who describes exactly what is happening (and why it is
happening) during a football game is called a sports analyst.

- Application is a prerequisite for analysis.

- Analysis was originally considered to be a prerequisite for synthesis; but there is
not universal agreement on this issue. That is, some theorists believe that a person
who is capable of application can go directly to synthesis (without first learning
analysis) – at least in some areas.
- Analysis or synthesis is a prerequisite for evaluation.

4. Cognitive Levels : Analysis
Analysis: analyzes, breaks down,  Troubleshoot a piece

compares, of equipment by using
o Separates material or contrasts, diagrams, logical deduction.
concepts into deconstructs,  Recognize logical
component parts so differentiates, fallacies in reasoning.
that its organizational discriminates,  Gathers information
structure may be distinguishes, identifies, from a department and
understood. illustrates, infers, outlines, selects the required
relates, selects, tasks for training.
separates.
o Distinguishes between
facts and inferences.

Examples of analysis questions
1 Mitochondria are called the powerhouses of the cell because they make energy
available for cellular metabolism. Which of the following observations is most cogent in
supporting this concept of mitochondrial function?
A ATP occurs in the mitochondria

B Mitochondria have a double membrane
C Mitochondria are found in almost all kinds of plant and animal cells
D The enzymes of the Krebs cycle, and molecules required for terminal
respiration, are found in mitochondria *
2 Determine one of the differences between a cube and a cuboid.
A A cube has all the plane surfaces equal in area

B The length of a cuboid is greater than that of a cube
C The height of a cube greater than that of a cuboid
D The plane surface area of a cuboid is less than that of a cube

Language :
- Given a poem, identify the specific poetic strategies employed in it.
Mathematics:
- Given a math word problem, determine the strategies that would be

necessary to solve it.
Science:
- Given the results of a mating that involves several principles and

concepts, explain the results of the mating in terms of these
principles and concepts.

Arts/Music:
- Analyze a painting in terms of how well it uses various artistic techniques to

achieve its effect.
Physical Education:
- While watching a football game, explain a given play in terms of type of defense,
type of offense, and the options exercised by both the defense and offense to make
the play work.
Computer Literacy:
- Given the rough and final drafts of a 10-page document written on a word processor
identify the techniques the author would have used to transform the first document
into the second.

5. Cognitive Levels : Synthesis
Definition:
- Synthesis means the act of creating something that did not exist before by
integrating information that had been learned at lower levels of the hierarchy.
- This is really a common-sense definition of the word. In normal language, when we

put together a whole series of skills, we say we are synthesizing those skills.
- Synthesis is a prerequisite for evaluation.

5. Cognitive Levels : Synthesis
Synthesis: categorizes, combines,  Write a company

compiles, composes, operations or process
o Builds a structure or creates, devises, designs, manual.
pattern from diverse explains, generates,  Design a machine to
elements. modifies, organizes, perform a specific
plans, rearranges, task.
o Put parts together to
reconstructs, relates,  Integrates training
form a whole, with reorganizes, revises,
emphasis on creating a from several sources
rewrites, summarizes, to solve a problem.
new meaning or tells, writes.
structure.  Revises and process
to improve the
outcome.

Examples of synthesis questions
1 If Homer wrote The Iliad today, Stanley Fish and Harold Bloom would argue,
respectively, whether the work should be classified as
A modern vs. romantic

B existential vs. romantic
C postcolonial vs. modern
D post-modern vs. classical
E preliterate vs. post-literate
2 What would happen if the terminals of an ordinary household light bulb were
connected to the terminals of an automobile storage battery?
A The bulb would explode

B The bulb would light to its brilliance
C The battery would go dead in a few minutes
D The bulb would not glow, though some current would flow through it

Examples of synthesis questions
Mathematics:
- Apply and integrate several different strategies to solve a mathematical problem.
Arts/Music:
- Draw a painting that uses various principles of perspective to achieve its effect.
Physical Education:
- While playing quarterback on offense in a football game, respond to a particular

defense by selecting the proper options, based on principles that the coach has
taught you.
Computer Literacy:
- Use a word processor to generate a 10-page document that meets designated

standards.
- Apply the strategies learned in educational psychology in an organized manner to

solve an educational problem.

6. Cognitive Levels : Evaluation
Definition:
- Evaluation means the ability to make judgments based on previous levels of

learning to compare a product of some kind against a designated standard.
- To meet Bloom's definition, there has to be a comparison to a cognitive standard of

some kind. For example, if a course evaluation asked you to analyze what a teacher
did and to state how well he did each of these things compared to some standard of
performance, this would fit Bloom's definition of evaluation.
- Evaluation is the highest level of cognitive activity in any area

6. Cognitive Levels : Evaluation
Evaluation:
o Make judgments about appraises, compares,  Select the most

the value of ideas or concludes, contrasts, effective solution.
materials. criticizes, critiques,  Hire the most qualified
defends, describes, candidate.
discriminates, evaluates,  Explain and justify a
explains, interprets, new budget.
justifies, relates,
summarizes, supports.

Examples of evaluation questions
1 Disregarding the relative feasibility of the following procedures, which of these lines of
research is likely to provide us with the most valid and direct evidence as to
evolutionary relations among different species?
A Analysis of the form of the Krebs cycle

B Determination of the total protein in the cell
C Comparison of details of the molecular structure of DNA *
D Analysis of the chemistry of stored food in female gametes
2 Which of the following would be most appropriately assessed by an essay item?
A Stating a major formula in chemistry

B Interpreting the results of an experiment *
C Recall the Newtonian laws of thermodynamics
D Locating a given element in the periodical table

Language :
- Critique your peer’s speech, based on the criteria we have studied this semester.
Mathematics:
- When your peer have finished solving a problem, determine the degree to which
that problem was solved as efficiently as possible.
Science:
- After designing an experiment, examining the results, and drawing conclusions,

determine in what ways the experiment could be conducted more effectively in
order to draw more productive conclusions in the future.
Social Studies:
- Examine the stated positions of both major political candidates with regard to a
particular issue and state good reasons (based on principles discussed in class) for
why one candidates position is more likely to be effective than the other's.

Computer Literacy:
- After using a word processor to generate a 10-page document, determine the

degree to which it meets designated standards and suggest strategies for meeting
those standards more effectively.
Counseling:
- Given a videotape of a situation in which the client encountered a person who made
her anxious, the client will use the principles discussed with the counselor to
determine the degree to which she handled the situation effectively and will suggest
specific strategies for handling the situation more effectively in the future.
- Observe another teacher (or yourself) and determine the quality of the teaching
performance in terms of the teacher's appropriate application of principles of
educational psychology.

A Teacher
Takes A Hand
Opens A Mind
Touches A Heart
Shapes The Future.

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OBJECTIVE AND ESSAY

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. PROF.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 1

Participants should be able to:

 State the definition of the various cognitive levels of Bloom’s

3. Use the various cognitive levels in the construction of test questions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 2

- Knowledge means the ability to recall or state information.

- This is the lowest level of the hierarchy. It is necessary to be able to recall

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 3

Cognitive Level Key Words Examples

o Recall of data defines, describes,  Recite a policy.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 4

1 Which of the following are the raw materials for photosynthesis?

A Water, heat, sunlight

2 Which of the following is one of the major approaches to psychology?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 5

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 6

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 7

- Give the definition of punishment.

{This would be a knowledge-level response if the learner answered by giving

- State the definition of application in Bloom's Taxonomy.

{This would be a knowledge-level response only if the difference is clearly

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 8

- Comprehension means the ability to give meaning to information.

- Knowledge is a prerequisite for comprehension.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 9

Cognitive Level Key Words Examples

Comprehension:  Rewrites the principles

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 10

A He actually embraced both structuralism and functionalism

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 11

- Explain what a poem (or a line in a poem) means.

- Answer questions about sexual reproduction that demonstrate an

- Explain in your own words what a recessive gene is.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 12

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 13

- Paraphrase accurately the textbook definition of punishment.

{This would be a knowledge-level response if the difference is

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 14

- Application entails the ability to use knowledge or principles in new or

Clarification of terms in the definition:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 15

- Comprehension is a prerequisite for application. Application is a

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 16

Cognitive Level Key Words Examples

o Use a concept in a new applies, changes,  Use a manual to

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 17

A the type of film seen *

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 18

- Write a part of a poem (perhaps by changing a metaphor or inserting a

- Given examples of several characteristics and the results of

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 19

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 20

- Application is a prerequisite for analysis.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 21

Cognitive Level Key Words Examples

Analysis: analyzes, breaks down,  Troubleshoot a piece

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Md. Johan 22

A ATP occurs in the mitochondria

2 Determine one of the differences between a cube and a cuboid.

A A cube has all the plane surfaces equal in area