Task sub-type: LINK

In the last section, the four most typical interactions used for the task sub-type LINK were named as Match and Graphic Match, as well as Associate and Graphic Associate.

The two Match interactions and the two Associate interactions are very similar, which is why they have been grouped together in the LINK task. There is, though, a slight distinction between them: both of the Match interactions are based on two sets of elements, and linking can only take place between the sets. With the two types of Associate interactions, there are no sets; instead, the elements form a pool, and linking can take place between any elements in the pool.

Note: Neither Match nor Associate interactions are exclusive - i.e. an element can be matched or associated more than once (e.g. A can be linked with both 1 and 2).

Let's have a look at the two types of Match interaction first.

The (non-graphic) Match interaction is used for finding pairs of elements depicted (usually) in some kind of list. In a Match interaction, candidates are presented with two different sets of elements, often in a grid, or matrix. They need to mark the pairs which match - in other words, which row matches with which column. In the example below, candidates are asked to link one of the cities with the language most likely to be spoken there.

A typical Match interaction

The Graphic Match interaction is also used for finding pairs of elements, but this time the elements are depicted using images. Thus, in a Graphic Match interaction, candidates are asked to match (two sets of) pictures. In the example below, candidates are asked to link two types of diet with certain foodstuffs.

Note: Remember that matching is not exclusive - the same element can be used in several different matches, as the two plates are here.

A typical Graphic Gap Match Interaction

Now let's have a look at the two types of Associate interaction.

The (non-graphic) Associate interaction is used for finding links between written elements. In an Associate interaction, candidates are presented with a set of data (rather than two distinct sets) and asked to find the associations within it. In the example below, candidates are asked to link one language from a list of European languages with the appropriate branch of the Indo-European language family.

A typical Associate interaction

The Graphic Associate interaction is used for finding links between elements depicted by images. Again, candidates are presented as a pool of elements (rather than two distinct sets) and asked to find the associations within it. In the example below, candidates are asked to link tools with the materials they are used with.

A typical Graphic Associate interaction