# cleanest way to part answers from questions

I am still typesetting old exams, and I turn to you lads and lassies for help. At the moment I have most of the actual exams typed in, and is currently typing in answers for them.

The problem I run into is that it is quite hard distinguishing the actual exam questions and notes from the solutions.

Now I was thinking of ways to make them different enough, but not so different that it becomes a eyesore reading it. My thoughts was to either alter the text ever so slightly or, tint the background. Perhaps in a relaxing colour, perhaps beige. I guess another way is to add vertical lines or some other form of clear border. Or do nothing at all.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mwe} % new package from Martin scharrer
\usepackage{lipsum,caption,mathtools}
\usepackage{comment}
\setlength{\parindent}{0in}
\begin{document}

\section*{Problem 1}

\paragraph*{a) } Prove that donkeys can fly if and only if they have more arms than penguins. \medskip

\lipsum[1]
%
\begin{figure}[!htbp]
\centering
\begin{minipage}[c]{\textwidth}
\centering
\includegraphics[width=3.0in]{example-image-a}
\caption{Caption for image}
\label{fig:some figure to accompany the answers}
\end{minipage}
\end{figure}
%
\lipsum[2]
Q.E.D

\newpage

\section*{Problem 2}

\paragraph*{a) } If $(x+y)^2=99$ and $x^2+y^2 = 11$ what is $x\cdot y$? \medskip

\lipsum[2]
\begin{align*}
(x+y)^2 & = 99 \\
x^2 + y^2 + 2x\cdot y & = 99 \\
x\cdot y & = 44 \\
\end{align*}
\lipsum[3]
Q.E.D \medskip

Now is it posible finding $x-y$ from the information above? \medskip

\lipsum[6]
Therefore it is not possible finding $x-y$ from the information given.

\end{document}


Here is an MWE, my actual code is more complicated but I guess this will do.

My question is Is it preferable to distinguish the answers and questions further, and if yes; what is the best way to do so?

-
I'd recommend putting the answers within an mdframed with a light background color and frame. Or you could use some kind of ornament to separate the question from the answer such as End of paragraph with ornament. –  Peter Grill Jun 21 '12 at 23:55
@Peter Grill I liked the idea of using mdframed, for an example I think \mdfdefinestyle{mystyle}{leftmargin=0pt,% linecolor=Lavender,backgroundcolor=Ivory} Looks good, but the problem is with the figures? I guess I could start and stop the mdframed, but that would look weird, and I would preffer a somewhat more automated solution. –  N3buchadnezzar Jun 22 '12 at 0:13
You have to choose darker colors for the lines on the figures. I have figures on top of frames with a background color and they show up just fine. –  Peter Grill Jun 22 '12 at 0:30
I am going to bed now. Will study this tomorow, but clearly this does not work. –  N3buchadnezzar Jun 22 '12 at 0:34
Have you considered the exam style yet? It gives solution-groups a gray background. Personally I like the exams it produces a lot. –  user1129682 Jun 22 '12 at 10:58