The spelling of the word "short answer" is quite straightforward. The first syllable "short" is pronounced as /ʃɔːt/, with the "sh" sound followed by the vowel sound "aw" and "t" sound. The second syllable "an-swer" is pronounced as /ˈæn.sər/, with the stress on the first syllable "an" and the "a" sound followed by the "n" and "s" sounds, and lastly the neutral vowel "ə" and "r" sound. Together, "short answer" is pronounced as /ʃɔːt ˈæn.sər/.
Short answer refers to a concise and succinct response provided to address a question or prompt. It is a form of reply characterized by brevity, focusing on conveying the necessary information or addressing the main points directly without elaboration. This type of answer is typically used in various contexts, including academic settings, examinations, quizzes, surveys, interviews, and online forums.
Short answers are characterized by their concise nature, which allows for quick and efficient communication of information. They are often preferred when responding to questions that require a direct and specific response, without the need for extensive explanation or elaboration. Unlike long or detailed answers, short answers aim to provide a brief yet complete response, conveying the essential information or covering the primary aspects of the query.
In educational contexts, short answers are commonly employed in exams and quizzes to assess students' understanding of specific topics or concepts. Professors and instructors utilize this format to prompt students to provide succinct explanations or solutions within a limited word count or time frame. Similarly, short answers are favored in surveys or interviews, as they enable participants to express their opinions or responses concisely, ensuring a quick and efficient data collection process.
Overall, short answers are a concise and direct form of response suitable for addressing questions or prompts with brevity, offering a brief yet complete reply without extensive elaboration.
The etymology of the word "short answer" can be traced back to the Old English word "sceort", which means brief or concise. "Answer" comes from the Old English "andswaru", meaning a reply or response. Over time, these two words combined to form "short answer", referring to a brief or concise response to a question.