Randomly sampling a text file in a TeX document (specifically `exam`)

Question

Is there a way to sample random items from a series of text files and include them in exam questions?

Context

I want to create vocab quizzes that comprise a random subset of the words the students have learned. So then I could test them on lists 1-2, or 1-6, or whatever, and not have to make up new quizzes manually (e.g., if I want to give different versions of the quiz to different sections of the same course).

The Cadillac version of this would also sample the definitions and generate a multiple-choice quiz, but I'm saving that for later. For starters, I just want to sample the terms and generate a list of short-answer questions.

No MWE

There is no MWE yet because I don't know where to start working on this problem. If it can be done, what packages or commands should I familiarize myself with to put it together?

You may add a minimal working example (MWE) without random choice, just to help us with a base to start with, thank you! — CarLaTeX, Jun 13 '17 at 12:39
Related: Assignments and Examinations (particularly the probsoln and datatool sections). — Nicola Talbot, Jun 13 '17 at 12:49
Yes, it is possible. It is easier if the data is already stored in a TikZ array or comma (for example) delimited string for xstring. Personally I would use a C++ program to handle the random stuff and use LaTeX to do the formatting. See http://www.elfsoft2000.com/worksheets/index.htm — John Kormylo, Jun 13 '17 at 13:23
See also https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/346260/display-item-list-in-sequential-and-random-without-repetition-order/346285?s=2|0.0709#346285 — John Kormylo, Jun 13 '17 at 13:35

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 09 '17 at 12:55

After following some of the leads offered above in the comments, I have a basic solution:

\documentclass[12pt,addpoints]{exam}
\usepackage{probsoln}

\begin{document}

    \loadrandomproblems{5}{prob_set_1.tex}


    \begin{questions}
    \foreachproblem{\question[1]\thisproblem\dotfill}
    \end{questions}

\end{document}

Randomly sampling a text file in a TeX document (specifically `exam`)

Context

No MWE

1 Answers1