Unable To Find The Answer

(We are taking a multiple-choice chemistry test using a scantron. A substitute teacher is supervising the class because our regular teacher had a doctor’s appointment.)

Student #1: “Um, [Teacher]? Question number 26 doesn’t have any answer choices below it.”

Teacher: “Then it must be a short-answer question. Just write the answer out in words instead of putting A, B, C, or D.”

(The class is speechless for a moment.)

Student #2: “We’re using scantrons.”

Teacher: “So? Write the answer on the scantron.”

Student #3: “There’s no place to write anything. You just fill in the bubbles.”

Teacher: “Really? It doesn’t have a short-answer section or anything?”

Student 3#: “No…”

(The substitute teacher takes a spare scantron and stares at it for a few seconds.)

Teacher: “Huh. Can you write in the blank space at the top or on the sides or…”

Student #2: “The machine can’t read that.”

Teacher: “Can you write in this blue box?”

(She points to a dark blue box that reads “Do not write in this area.” Then she sees the text.)

Teacher: “Oh… never mind.”