Anki Examples: 10 Powerful Flashcard Ideas (And a Faster Way Using Flashrecall) – Steal these ready-made card types to study smarter and remember more in less time.
Real Anki examples for vocab, medicine, diagrams, exams—plus how to auto-generate cards from notes, PDFs, images, and YouTube using a smoother flashcard app.
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
Stop Overthinking Your Flashcards: Just Copy These Examples
If you’re googling “Anki examples”, you’re probably stuck on the same thing everyone hits:
> “Okay, I installed the app… now what cards do I actually make?”
Instead of staring at a blank screen, I’ll walk you through 10 practical flashcard examples you can copy for any subject. And I’ll also show you how to do all of this way faster using Flashrecall, a modern flashcard app that does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
You can grab it here (free to start):
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Flashrecall has:
- Built‑in spaced repetition (no settings to fiddle with)
- Active recall by default
- Automatic flashcards from images, PDFs, YouTube, text, audio
- Works on iPhone and iPad, even offline
So if you like the idea of Anki but not the setup pain, this will feel way smoother.
Let’s get into real examples.
1. Basic Question → Answer Cards (The Classic)
This is the standard Anki-style card most people start with.
- Front: What is the function of mitochondria?
- Back: They are the “powerhouse of the cell”; they generate ATP through cellular respiration.
- Front: “To remember” (in Spanish)
- Back: recordar
Instead of typing everything manually, you can:
- Paste a vocab list or notes into Flashrecall
- Let it auto-generate flashcards from the text
- Edit anything you want
So you get the classic “Anki-style” cards, but without spending 2 hours formatting.
2. Cloze Deletion Cards (Fill-in-the-Blank)
Cloze cards are amazing when you want to remember part of a sentence, formula, or process.
- Full sentence: The sciatic nerve is derived from the L4 to S3 spinal nerve roots.
- Cloze version: The sciatic nerve is derived from the L4 to S3 spinal nerve roots.
You’d hide “L4 to S3” and force your brain to recall it.
- Full sentence: World War II ended in 1945 after the surrender of Germany and Japan.
- Cloze: World War II ended in 1945 after the surrender of Germany and Japan.
In Flashrecall, you can:
- Paste your notes
- Highlight the key piece you want to hide
- Turn it into a “fill-in-the-blank” card instantly
No need to learn special syntax like in Anki. Just select → convert → done.
3. Image Occlusion (Hide Parts of an Image)
This is huge for medicine, geography, diagrams, charts, UI layouts, anything visual.
Take an image of the brachial plexus.
- Front: Image of the brachial plexus with one label covered (e.g., “radial nerve”).
- Back: The hidden label: Radial nerve.
- Front: Map of Europe with one country blanked out.
- Back: The hidden country name (e.g., Hungary).
In Flashrecall, you can:
- Import an image or snap a photo from a textbook
- Tap to cover the part you want hidden
- It auto-creates the card
So instead of fiddling with add-ons or desktop-only tools, you can do image occlusion straight on your phone or iPad.
4. “Concept → Example” Cards (Not Just Definitions)
A big mistake: only memorizing definitions instead of actually understanding.
So instead of:
- Front: What is classical conditioning?
- Back: [Dry definition]
Try:
- Front: Give a real-life example of classical conditioning.
- Back: A dog salivating when it hears a bell because it associates the bell with food.
- Front: Give an example of social proof in marketing.
- Back: Customer reviews on a product page; “Best-seller” tags; influencer endorsements.
In Flashrecall, you can create multiple cards per concept:
- 1 for definition
- 1 for example
- 1 for “Why does this matter?”
That deeper layering is what actually sticks long term.
5. “Problem → Step-by-Step Solution” Cards
Perfect for math, physics, programming, accounting, finance.
- Front: Solve for x: 2x + 5 = 17
- Back:
1. 2x + 5 = 17
2. 2x = 12
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
3. x = 6
- Front: In Python, how do you read a file line by line?
- Back:
```python
with open("file.txt", "r") as f:
for line in f:
print(line)
```
In Flashrecall, you can:
- Paste code, equations, or screenshots
- Turn them into cards
- And if something is confusing, you can chat with the flashcard to ask follow-up questions and get explanations based on that card’s content.
6. “Forward + Reverse” Pair Cards
Sometimes you need to remember both directions:
- Term → Definition
- Definition → Term
- Card 1 (forward):
- Front: What is tachycardia?
- Back: Heart rate >100 bpm in adults.
- Card 2 (reverse):
- Front: Heart rate >100 bpm in adults is called what?
- Back: Tachycardia.
- Card 1: English → Spanish
- Card 2: Spanish → English
In Flashrecall, when you create vocab cards, you can easily make both directions so you actually produce the word, not just recognize it.
7. “Compare and Contrast” Cards
These are underrated but insanely useful for similar concepts you keep mixing up.
- Front: What’s the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
- Back:
- Mitosis: 2 identical diploid cells, for growth/repair.
- Meiosis: 4 non-identical haploid cells, for gamete formation.
- Front: Difference between civil law and criminal law?
- Back:
- Civil: disputes between individuals/organizations, compensation.
- Criminal: offenses against the state, punishment (fines, prison).
You can also make two cards:
1. “List similarities”
2. “List differences”
Flashrecall’s chat feature is clutch here: if a comparison still feels fuzzy, you can ask it to explain the difference again in simpler words right inside the app.
8. “Scenario → What Would You Do?” Cards
These are great for clinical reasoning, business, interviews, case studies, ethics.
- Front: A 65-year-old man presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm, sweating, and nausea. What’s your first step?
- Back: Suspect acute coronary syndrome; get ECG and cardiac enzymes, give oxygen, aspirin, etc.
- Front: “Tell me about a time you handled a conflict at work.” How would you answer?
- Back: Your pre-planned STAR answer (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
This makes you practice thinking, not just memorizing.
In Flashrecall, you can:
- Paste real case questions or interview prompts
- Add your ideal answer
- Then use spaced repetition to keep them fresh before the big day.
9. Audio-Based Cards (Perfect for Languages & Listening)
If you’re learning a language or anything where listening matters, audio cards are gold.
- Front (audio): Native speaker saying: “¿Cómo estás?”
- Back (text): “How are you?”
Or reverse:
- Front (text): “How are you?”
- Back (audio): Pronunciation of “¿Cómo estás?”
With Flashrecall you can:
- Record your own audio
- Or pull audio from YouTube videos by just dropping in the link
It then helps you create cards from that content, so you’re learning from real native material, not just textbook sentences.
10. PDF / YouTube → Automatic Card Examples
A big pain with Anki is building decks from long PDFs or lectures manually.
With Flashrecall, you can:
- Import a PDF (lecture slides, textbook chapter, study guide)
- Or paste a YouTube link (lecture, explainer, tutorial)
- Let the app automatically generate flashcards from the content
You drop in a 40-minute physiology lecture from YouTube. Flashrecall can:
- Pull out key concepts
- Turn them into Q&A, cloze, or summary cards
- You tweak anything you want
Same with PDFs:
- Upload your exam review PDF
- Flashrecall suggests cards like:
- “What are the 3 main functions of the liver?”
- “List the steps of the Krebs cycle.”
You end up with Anki-style decks in a fraction of the time.
Why Use Flashrecall Instead of Classic Anki?
If you love the idea of spaced repetition but hate setup, Flashrecall is basically the “modern, less painful” version:
- Built-in spaced repetition
No need to mess with intervals or deck settings. It automatically schedules reviews and sends study reminders so you don’t forget to come back.
- Active recall by default
Every card is designed to make you think, not just reread.
- Instant card creation from anything
- Text
- Images
- Audio
- PDFs
- YouTube links
- Or just type manually if you like control
- Chat with your flashcards
Stuck on a card? You can literally chat with it and ask:
- “Explain this in simpler words”
- “Give me another example”
- “Why is this important?”
- Works offline
Perfect for studying on the bus, plane, or in a dead Wi‑Fi lecture hall.
- Great for any subject
Languages, exams, school, university, medicine, business, certifications—if it has information, you can turn it into cards.
- Fast, modern, and easy to use
No clunky UI, no desktop requirement. Just install and start learning.
You can try it here (free to start):
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
How to Start Today (Copy-Paste Plan)
If you’re overwhelmed, do this:
1. Pick one subject you care about (exam, language, course, whatever).
2. Create 10–20 cards using the examples above:
- 5 basic Q&A
- 5 cloze/fill-in-the-blank
- 5 problem → solution or scenario cards
3. Import a PDF or YouTube link into Flashrecall and let it auto-generate a few more.
4. Study 10–15 minutes a day with spaced repetition.
You’ll get the benefits people rave about with Anki—long-term memory, less cramming, more confidence—without drowning in setup.
And if you ever feel stuck on what kind of card to make, just come back to these examples and steal them shamelessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anki good for studying?
Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
How can I study more effectively for exams?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
Related Articles
- Learning Cards: 7 Powerful Ways To Study Smarter (And Actually Remember Stuff) – Forget messy paper cards, these learning card tricks will help you learn faster with way less effort.
- Learning Flash Cards: 7 Powerful Ways To Actually Remember What You Study (Most People Skip #3) – Use these proven flashcard tricks plus Flashrecall to learn faster and remember way more in less time.
- Anki Flash Cards: The Powerful Alternative Most Students Ignore (And How To Learn Faster With Smarter Flashcards) – Discover why classic Anki decks aren’t your only option anymore and how a modern app can save you hours.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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