Test methods should contain active, uncommented code that includes at least one assertion to verify expected behavior. Commented-out test code provides zero value and creates a false sense of security by appearing to test functionality while actually testing nothing. Instead of: ```python def testGetResponse(self): # inst = self.make_instance(include_optional=False) # self.assertEqual(inst.message, "Expected message") ``` Write: ```python def testGetResponse(self): inst = self.make_instance(include_optional=False) self.assertIsNotNone(inst) self.assertEqual(inst.message, "Expected message") ``` Every test method should verify specific functionality by executing the code under test and validating results through appropriate assertions. Tests without assertions or with only commented code will always pass regardless of code correctness, defeating the purpose of having tests.