Testing Grammar and VocabularyText: Arthur Hughes

Items to be covered – a lot But directly testing limits operations Importance in proficiency testing – low Achievement, diagnostic test - applicable Placement test - high

Testing Grammar

SpecificationsStraight-forward materials (achievement test) Sampling

Selecting according to importance not easier to test Multiple choice – low Paraphrase, completion, modified cloze - high

Specifications and Sampling

Paraphrase or transformation example: Testing passive, past continuous form Testing present perfect with for (/negative)  Completion or filling the gaps Example: Q: Let me take down your information. Where ......? A: Uttara, Dhaka

Modified cloze Testing prepositions with image Articles, linking or mixed structures

Items

Careful allocation of award points Specific to the intended item(s) separation of points for more than one item

Scoring

Can be tested along with grammar. Formative assessment can be done. Little instruction than grammar Little necessity for such tests for achievement test. There may be prerequisites for placement tests. Diagnostic test- not necessary.

Testing Vocabulary

Specifications Including relative items Grouping them according to importance Vocabulary placement test= proficiency test Questions: according to frequency and the text. Sampling Frequency and usefulness

Specifications and Sampling

Recognition- encouraging guessing meaning1. Synonyms gleam: a. gather, b. shine, c. welcome, d. clean. distractions: glean(a) or similarity with clean 2. Definitions loathe means- a. dislike intensely, b. become seriously ill, c.

search carefully, d. look very angry distraction- notion of intensity 3. Gap filling or multiple choice context for testing knowledge of lexical item The strong wind ______ the man's effort to put up the tent. a. disabled, b. hampered, c. deranged, d. regaled

Items

Production Only for possibility in achievement test. 1. Picture2. Definition _____ is a person who treats and looks after our teeth.

(specific)3. Gap filling Because of the rain, the cricket match was ___ until the

following week. (non-specific)

Items

Communicative in nature Less importance for learning Suitable for process Less focus on backwash effect

Conclusion