In multiple-choice questions, what is referred to as a "distractor"?

A "distractor" in the context of multiple-choice questions is an option that is incorrect but is designed to be plausible enough that it may mislead test-takers. The purpose of distractors is to challenge students' understanding of the material and test their ability to distinguish between correct and incorrect information.

In well-constructed questions, distractors can provide insight into common misconceptions or errors in reasoning, helping educators identify areas where students may need additional instruction or support. Effective distractors should be relevant to the topic and resemble the correct answer in some way, thereby requiring the test-taker to think critically about their choices rather than simply recognizing the correct answer.

In this case, recognizing that the correct answer is the definition of a distractor as an incorrect option enhances your understanding of how multiple-choice assessments are designed and the role each answer plays in evaluating knowledge and comprehension.