Which characteristic describes supply-type test items?

Supply-type test items, such as essays or open-ended questions, require the learner to generate responses rather than selecting from provided options. This characteristic inherently means that the assessment can vary significantly between different individuals who might interpret questions differently or express responses in unique ways. As a result, if different instructors grade the same supply-type test, the subjective nature of the responses may lead to differing scores based on the instructors' perspectives or grading criteria. This variability highlights the personal judgment involved in evaluating such test items, making it less likely for supply-type items to yield consistent scores across different graders.

In contrast, the other options emphasize aspects that are less reflective of the nature of supply-type items. They do not encapsulate the variability of response generation and grading that is distinct to supply-type assessments.