What is the source of MOST of the salt in the oceans?
• Dead organisms (formation of oil might be confused with salt formation) • Glaciers (glacier melt might be thought to contain salt) • Rocks* • Meteorites (meteorite composition might be thought to be salt) NOTE: The inclusion of rationales does not guarantee good items, but it does make the writer provide options that at least seem reasonable. The item might still focus on trivia as this item does. If students are writing test items they should provide rationals for the options. This can inform the teacher of many misconceptions students hold. It also requires students to investigate the information they are trying to learn in greater depth.
