One potential weakness of listening cloze techniques is that they

Group 6: Cloze procedure

[Tests of Grammar] and Reading [Communicative]

The definition of Cloze Procedure, according to:

1. Jonz [1990]: the practice of measuring language proficiency or language comprehension by requiring examinees to restore words that have been removed from otherwise normal text.
2. Richards, Platt, and Weber, 1985, Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistic: a technique for measuring reading comprehension. In a cloze test, words are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals, leaving blanks. For example, every fifth word may be removed. The reader must then read the passage and try to guess the missing words.

The Characteristic of Cloze Test

• Cloze test items consist of words that are deleted from a text after allowing a few sentences of introduction.
• The deletion rate is mechanically set, usually between every 5th and 8th.
• Candidates have to fill each gap by supplying the words they think has been deleted [Weir, 1990:46].

The Varieties of Cloze Test

• In the fixed-ratio method, every n-th word is indiscriminately deleted. nis its frequency that determines the number of deletions.
• The interval deletion of cloze test is between 3rd 11th word.
• The most widely favoured for deletion: 5th, 6th, and 7th.
• Variable-ratio methodomits only certain kind of words which the constructor thinks of the importance for a certain purposes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.
• In modified fixed-ratio method, words are deleted on a regular counting basis, but certain items are skipped. These items include names of persons, places, objects, dates, months etc.

Two scoring methods

— Exact word method

The test taker scores if and only if the answer is exactly as the original word of the text.

— Acceptable word method

Any responses that match the criteria below

Grammatically correct

Make good sense in the context

Strengths and Weaknesses of cloze-test

Strength:

— Increase students achievement compared to an open-ended test

— Easy to score

— Objective

— Practical

— Understandable and unambiguous

Weakness: Difficult to construct a good quality test

The cloze procedure produces tests are generally consistent in the ways they measure the language knowledge of examinees. In all, cloze test as measurement in test language proficiency has very wide implication and potential meaning in practice. Appropriately designed cloze tests can provide a valid assessment of the readers integration of theoretical text, and should deserve a position in language testing.

The Definition of C-Test

The C-test is an adaptation of the cloze technique that has been developed by Christinee Klein-Braley and Ulrich Raatz in 1983.Weir [1990:49] claims that C-test is based on the same theoretical rationale as cloze.In C-test, the rule of two has been applied: the second half of every second word has been deleted, beginning with the second word of the second sentence; the first and last sentences are left intact.To provide a lead-in [to give test takers a chance to become familiar with the authors style and approach to the subject of the text]. According to Weir [1990:49], only an exact word scoring method is adopted in C-test. Because of the partially deletion of the words, it is rare for the test takers to find more than one answer for each items.

The Comparison between C-Test with the Cloze Test

The C-test appears to have some advantages over the cloze test:

• By damaging every second word, we can obtain a more representative sample of all the different language elements in the text than in the cloze, where normally only every fifth or sixth word is left out.
• Many more items can be included in much shorter texts, making the test less time-consuming for the students than the cloze.
• Unlike the cloze test, scoring is easy and objective.
• As a rule, students actually like doing C-tests, whereas the cloze test is one of the most frustrating test types for learners.

SUMMARY GROUP 6:

Cloze procedure [Tests of Grammar] and Reading [Communicative]

Submitted by: Eni Masitah

Meti Rahmawati

Noka Dara C.

What is cloze procedure?

Definition

the practice of measuring language proficiency or language comprehension by requiring examinees to restore words that have been removed from otherwise normal text. [Jonz 1990]

a technique for measuring reading comprehension. In a cloze test, words are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals, leaving blanks. For example, every fifth word may be removed. The reader must then read the passage and try to guess the missing words. [Richards, Platt, and Weber, 1985, Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics.]

Why do we use it?

Using cloze-procedure helps pupils with their reading and writing.

Using this activity will help support learners in looking at either semantic patterns or sentence structure.

Writing is the hardest skill for bilingual pupils to master so it is important to scaffold writing tasks by using writing frames, matching words to pictures and using cloze procedures.

The Characteristic of Cloze Test

• Cloze test items consist of words that are deleted from a text after allowing a few sentences of introduction.
• The deletion rate is mechanically set, usually between every 5th and 8th.
• Candidates have to fill each gap by supplying the words they think has been deleted [Weir, 1990:46].

The Example of Cloze Test

Hidden Treasure

Once upon a time, a farmer had three sons. The farmer was rich had many fields. When farmer was dying, he his three sons to . I have left you which will make you , he told them. But must dig in all fields to find the where the treasure was . After the old man , his three lazy sons out into the fields. began to dig. Ill the first to find place where the treasure buried, cried the eldest . Thats the field where father put the treasure, another son. The three dug all the fields several years, but they no treasure. However, many grew in the fields the sons had dug. The vegetables made them very rich.

Two Kinds of Cloze Test

Based on how the blanks are created, generally, there are two kinds of cloze: fixed-ratio and rational deletion.

1. Fixed-ratio [nth word deletion]:

Delete every nth word, no matter what word it is. [n=5~11 in normal practice]

1. Rational deletion [selective deletion]

The words are deleted on the basis of some rational decision.

The Varieties of Cloze Test

In the fixed-ratio method, every n-th word is indiscriminately deleted. n is its frequency that determines the number of deletions.

The interval deletion of cloze test is between 3rd 11th word.

The most widely favoured for deletion: 5th, 6th, and 7th.

1. Variable-ratio method omits only certain kind of words which the constructor thinks of the importance for a certain purposes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.

In modified fixed-ratio method, words are deleted on a regular counting basis, but certain items are skipped. These items include names of persons, places, objects, dates, months etc.

Three scoring methods

• Exact word method

The test taker scores if and only if the answer is exactly as the original word of the text.

• Acceptable word method

Any responses that match the criteria below

Grammatically correct

Make good sense in the context

• Native Speaker

Cloze Technique

• Progressive: teachers cut sentence strips into individual words and place them into a pocket chart. Then children read the words after removing one or two words from a sentence one at a time. Structure words such as a, and, but, the should not be removed. When students read the sentence they can snap their fingers or say blank when they come a missing word.
• Regressive: start with only the structure words to form a sentence. Replace one word at a time and have children read what is in the pocket chart.
• Successive: done by covering the beginning or ending of a word.

Strengths and Weaknesses [cloze-test]

The Definition of C-Test

• The C-test is an adaptation of the cloze technique that has been developed by Christinee Klein-Braley and Ulrich Raatz in 1983.
• Weir [1990:49] claims that C-test is based on the same theoretical rationale as cloze.
• In C-test, the rule of two has been applied: the second half of every second word has been deleted, beginning with the second word of the second sentence; the first and last sentences are left intact.

To provide a lead-in [to give test takers a chance to become familiar with the authors style and approach to the subject of the text].

Strengths and Weaknesses [C-test]

The Example of C-Test

Once there was a merchant family who owned a dog and a donkey. One night when t__ owner o_ the ho___ was fa__ a sleep i_ his b__, a th___ broke in___ the ho___ to st___ some o_ the own___ possessions. Th_ donkey w__ saw th_ thief, wo__ the d__ up a__ said, H_! Look! Th___ a th___ in t__ house! W__ dont y__ bark a__ wake t__ master u_? Why should I care about our master? the dog replied.

Reading Comprehension Test

Modes of Reading Comprehension Test

• Close ended question
• Multiple choice
• Completion
• True-False

Reading comprehension can be tested in these areas

• Main Idea
• Supporting Idea
• Inference
• Tone & Style
• Passage Structure
• Application
• Logical Reasoning

Test of Grammar using Cloze/C-test

John ______ works ______Monday ______Friday

• Tests students understanding of the whole language
• More than one option may be possible
• First letter may be offered as a sample
• Difficult to test attitudes towards learning
• Some words may be impossible to guess
• Can test students IQ rather than language proficiency
• Difficult for some students [bias]

Five characteristics to measure communicative grammar

1. The test must provide more context than only a single sentence.
2. The test taker should understand what the communicative purpose of the task is.
3. He or she should also know who the intended audience is.
4. He or she must have to focus on meaning and not form to answer correctly.
5. Recognize is not sufficient. The test taker must be able to produce grammatical responses.

Summary

Advantages: Using Cloze Test and C-Test

simple construction,

efficiency of group administration,

easy, and objective in scoring

Disadvantages: Using Cloze Test and C-Test

some researchers question its validity of testing high-order processing skill; others doubt its validity and reliability as a measurement of language comprehension.

Conclusion:

the cloze procedure produces tests are generally consistent in the ways they measure the language knowledge of examinees. In all, cloze test as measurement in test language proficiency has very wide implication and potential meaning in practice. Appropriately designed cloze tests can provide a valid assessment of the readers integration of theoretical text, and should deserve a position in language testing.

Submitted by:

Fransisca Angelina [120221414914]

Ria Lusiyani [100221400416]

Shinta Amalia [100221404360]

Summary group 6

Integrative Test: Cloze Procedures
[Tests of Grammar] and Reading [Communicative]

Definitions

Cloze Procedure is the practice of measuring language proficiency or language comprehension by requiring examinees to restore words that have been removed from otherwise normal text. [Jonz 1990] or a technique for measuring reading comprehension. In a cloze test, words are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals, leaving blanks. For example, every fifth word may be removed. The reader must then read the passage and try to guess the missing words. [Richards, Platt, and Weber, 1985, Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics.]

Using cloze-procedure helps pupils with their reading and writing. Using this activity will help support learners in looking at either semantic patterns or sentence structure. Writing is the hardest skill for bilingual pupils to master so it is important to scaffold writing tasks by using writing frames, matching words to pictures and using cloze procedures.

The Characteristic of Cloze Test

F Cloze test items consist of words that are deleted from a text after allowing a few sentences of introduction.

F The deletion rate is mechanically set, usually between every 5th and 8th.

F Candidates have to fill each gap by supplying the words they think has been deleted [Weir, 1990:46].

Kinds of Cloze Test

• Based on how the blanks are created, generally, there are two kinds of cloze: fixed-ratio and rational deletion.
• Fixed-ratio [nth word deletion]:

Delete every nth word, no matter what word it is. [n=5~11 in normal practice]

• Rational deletion [selective deletion]

The words are deleted on the basis of some rational decision.

The varieties of cloze test

F In the fixed-ratio method, every n-th word is indiscriminately deleted. n is its frequency that determines the number of deletions.

F The interval deletion of cloze test is between 3rd 11th word.

F The most widely favoured for deletion: 5th, 6th, and 7th.

F Variable-ratio method omits only certain kind of words which the constructor thinks of the importance for a certain purposes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.

F In modified fixed-ratio method, words are deleted on a regular counting basis, but certain items are skipped. These items include names of persons, places, objects, dates, months etc.

Three scoring methods

F Exact word method

F The test taker scores if and only if the answer is exactly as the original word of the text.

F Acceptable word method

F Any responses that match the criteria below

F Grammatically correct

F Make good sense in the context

F Native Speaker

Cloze Technique

• Progressive: teachers cut sentence strips into individual words and place them into a pocket chart. Then children read the words after removing one or two words from a sentence one at a time. Structure words such as a, and, but, the should not be removed. When students read the sentence they can snap their fingers or say blank when they come a missing word.
• Regressive: start with only the structure words to form a sentence. Replace one word at a time and have children read what is in the pocket chart.
• Successive: done by covering the beginning or ending of a word.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strength:

1. Increase students achievement compared to an open-ended test
2. Easy to score
3. Objective
4. Practical
5. Understandable and unambiguous

Weakness:

Difficult to construct a good quality test

C-Test

The C-test is an adaptation of the cloze technique that has been developed by Christinee Klein-Braley and Ulrich Raatz in 1983.Weir [1990:49] claims that C-test is based on the same theoretical rationale as cloze. In C-test, the rule of two has been applied: the second half of every second word has been deleted, beginning with the second word of the second sentence; the first and last sentences are left intact. To provide a lead-in [to give test takers a chance to become familiar with the authors style and approach to the subject of the text].

The Strengths of C-Test

1. In C-test, a variety of texts are recommended. A short text can be formed a large number of items.
2. The correction of the task can be objectively scored as it is rare to have more than one answer.
3. The results are encouraging in terms of reliability and validity.

The Weaknesses of C-Test

1. The face validity is low because there are many blanks spaces.
2. If the isolated words are difficult, the test takers concentrate their mind in guessing the vocabulary instead of comprehending the rading text.

Reading Comprehension Test

Reading Comprehension can be tested in these areas:

• Main Idea
• Supporting Idea
• Inference
• Tone & Style
• Passage Structure
• Application

Test of Grammar using Cloze/C-test:

• Tests students understanding of the whole language
• More than one option may be possible
• First letter may be offered as a sample
• Difficult to test attitudes towards learning
• Some words may be impossible to guess
• Can test students IQ rather than language proficiency
• Difficult for some students [bias]

The cloze procedure produces tests are generally consistent in the ways they measure the language knowledge of examinees. In all, cloze test as measurement in test language proficiency has very wide implication and potential meaning in practice. Appropriately designed cloze tests can provide a valid assessment of the readers integration of theoretical text, and should deserve a position in language testing.

Definition
The practice of measuring language proficiency or language comprehension by requiring examinees to restore words that have been removed from otherwise normal text. [Jonz 1990]
A technique for measuring reading comprehension. In a cloze test, words are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals, leaving blanks. For example, every fifth word may be removed. The reader must then read the passage and try to guess the missing words. [Richards, Platt, and Weber, 1985, Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics.]
Why use it?
Using cloze-procedure helps pupils with their reading and writing.
Using this activity will help support learners in looking at either semantic patterns or sentence structure.
Writing is the hardest skill for bilingual pupils to master so it is important to scaffold writing tasks by using writing frames, matching words to pictures and using cloze procedures.
The Characteristic of Cloze Test
Cloze test items consist of words that are deleted from a text after allowing a few sentences of introduction.
The deletion rate is mechanically set, usually between every 5th and 8th .
Candidates have to fill each gap by supplying the words they think has been deleted [Weir, 1990:46].

The Varieties of Cloze Test
In the fixed-ratio method, every n-th word is indiscriminately deleted. n is its frequency that determines the number of deletions.
The interval deletion of cloze test is between 3rd 11th word.
The most widely favored for deletion: 5th, 6th, and 7th.
Variable-ratio method omits only certain kind of words which the constructor thinks of the importance for a certain purposes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.
In modified fixed-ratio method, words are deleted on a regular counting basis, but certain items are skipped. These items include names of persons, places, objects, dates, months etc.
Strengths and Weaknesses [cloze-test]
Strengths; Increase students achievement compared to an open-ended test, easy to score
Objective, practical, understandable and unambiguous
Weakness; difficult to construct a good quality test
Advantages:
Simple construction,
Efficiency of group administration,
Easy, and objective in scoring
Disadvantages:
Some researchers question its validity of testing high-order processing skill; others doubt its validity and reliability as a measurement of language comprehension.

Conclusion:
The cloze procedure produces tests are generally consistent in the ways they measure the language knowledge of examinees. In all, cloze test as measurement in test language proficiency has very wide implication and potential meaning in practice. Appropriately designed cloze tests can provide a valid assessment of the readers integration of theoretical text, and should deserve a position in language testing.

Definition of Cloze Procedure
1. The practice of measuring language proficiency or language comprehension by requiring examinees to restore words that have been removed from otherwise normal text. [Jonz 1990]
2. A technique for measuring reading comprehension. In a cloze test, words are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals, leaving blanks. For example, every fifth word may be removed. The reader must then read the passage and try to guess the missing words. [Richards, Platt, and Weber, 1985, Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics.]

The purpose of using cloze-procedure:
1. Using cloze-procedure helps pupils with their reading and writing.
2. Using this activity will help support learners in looking at either semantic patterns or sentence structure.
3. Writing is the hardest skill for bilingual pupils to master so it is important to scaffold writing tasks by using writing frames, matching words to pictures and using cloze procedures.
The Characteristic of Cloze Test:
1. Cloze test items consist of words that are deleted from a text after allowing a few sentences of introduction.
2. The deletion rate is mechanically set, usually between every 5th and 8th.
3. Candidates have to fill each gap by supplying the words they think has been deleted [Weir, 1990:46].
The Varieties of Cloze Test:
1. In the fixed-ratio method, every n-th word is indiscriminately deleted. n is its frequency that determines the number of deletions. The interval deletion of cloze test is between 3rd 11th word. The most widely favoured for deletion: 5th, 6th, and 7th.
2. Variable-ratio method omits only certain kind of words which the constructor thinks of the importance for a certain purposes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.
3. In modified fixed-ratio method, words are deleted on a regular counting basis, but certain items are skipped. These items include names of persons, places, objects, dates, months etc.
Two scoring methods:
1] Exact word method
a. The test taker scores if and only if the answer is exactly as the original word of the text.
2] Acceptable word method
a. Any responses that match the criteria below
i. Grammatically correct
ii. Make good sense in the context

The Definition of C-Test:
1. The C-test is an adaptation of the cloze technique that has been developed by Christinee Klein-Braley and Ulrich Raatz in 1983.
2. Weir [1990:49] claims that C-test is based on the same theoretical rationale as cloze.
3. In C-test, the rule of two has been applied: the second half of every second word has been deleted, beginning with the second word of the second sentence; the first and last sentences are left intact.
4. To provide a lead-in [to give test takers a chance to become familiar with the authors style and approach to the subject of the text].

The Scoring Method:
According to Weir [1990:49], only an exact word scoring method is adopted in C-test. Because of the partially deletion of the words, it is rare for the test takers to find more than one answer for each items.

The Comparison between C-Test with the Cloze Test:
The C-test appears to have some advantages over the cloze test:
1. By damaging every second word, we can obtain a more representative sample of all the different language elements in the text than in the cloze, where normally only every fifth or sixth word is left out.
2. Many more items can be included in much shorter texts, making the test less time-consuming for the students than the cloze.
3. Unlike the cloze test, scoring is easy and objective.
4. As a rule, students actually like doing C-tests, whereas the cloze test is one of the most frustrating test types for learners.

Cloze/C-test of Grammar:
1. Tests students understanding of the whole language
2. More than one option may be possible
3. First letter may be offered as a sample
4. Difficult to test attitudes towards learning
5. Some words may be impossible to guess
6. Can test students IQ rather than language proficiency
7. Difficult for some students [bias]

Reading Comprehension Test
Modes of Reading Comprehension Test
1. Close ended question
2. Multiple choice
3. Completion
4. True-False

Reading Comprehension can be tested in these areas
1. Main Idea
2. Supporting Idea
3. Inference
4. Tone & Style
5. Passage Structure
6. Application
7. Logical Reasoning

By:

Ratna Komala, Nuke Sari, Puspa Tanjung

1. Cloze Test

There are some definitions about cloze test. According to Jonz [1990] Cloze test is the practice of measuring language proficiency or language comprehension by requiring examinees to restore words that have been removed from otherwise normal text. Furthermore, Richards, Platt, and Weber state in Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics [1985] cloze test is a technique for measuring reading comprehension. In a cloze test, words are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals, leaving blanks. For example, every fifth word may be removed. The reader must then read the passage and try to guess the missing words.

There are some reasons why teachers could use cloze test to assess students. Firstly, it is because using cloze-procedure helps pupils with their reading and writing. Secondly, using this activity will help support learners in looking at either semantic patterns or sentence structure. The last reason is because writing is the hardest skill for bilingual pupils to master so it is important to scaffold writing tasks by using writing frames, matching words to pictures and using cloze procedures.

There are some characteristic of cloze test. They are:

• Cloze test items consist of words that are deleted from a text after allowing a few sentences of introduction.
• The deletion rate is mechanically set, usually between every 5th and 8th .
• Candidates have to fill each gap by supplying the words they think has been deleted [Weir, 1990:46].

There are three varieties of Cloze Test. They are:

• In the fixed-ratio method, every n-th word is indiscriminately deleted. n is its frequency that determines the number of deletions. The interval deletion of cloze test is between 3rd 11th word. The most widely favoured for deletion: 5th, 6th, and 7th.
• Variable-ratio method omits only certain kind of words which the constructor thinks of the importance for a certain purposes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.
• In modified fixed-ratio method, words are deleted on a regular counting basis, but certain items are skipped. These items include names of persons, places, objects, dates, months etc.

There are two types of scoring method in cloze test. The first is exact word method. The test takers answer is considered correct if and only if the answer is exactly as the original word of the text. The second is acceptable word method. The test takers answer could correct if the answer fulfill the criteria; grammatically correct and having good sense in the context.

Table strengths and weaknesses of Cloze test

2. C-Test

The C-test is an adaptation of the cloze technique that has been developed by Christinee Klein-Braley and Ulrich Raatz in 1983. Weir [1990:49] claims that C-test is based on the same theoretical rationale as cloze. In C-test, the rule of two has been applied: the second half of every second word has been deleted, beginning with the second word of the second sentence; the first and last sentences are left intact to provide a lead-in [to give test takers a chance to become familiar with the authors style and approach to the subject of the text].

C-Test Scoring Method

According to Weir [1990:49], only an exact word scoring method is adopted in C-test. Because of the partially deletion of the words, it is rare for the test takers to find more than one answer for each items.

3. Comparison between Cloze Test and C-test

The C-test appears to have some advantages over the cloze test:

• By damaging every second word, we can obtain a more representative sample of all the different language elements in the text than in the cloze, where normally only every fifth or sixth word is left out.
• Many more items can be included in much shorter texts, making the test less time-consuming for the students than the cloze.
• Unlike the cloze test, scoring is easy and objective.
• As a rule, students actually like doing C-tests, whereas the cloze test is one of the most frustrating test types for learners.

4. Reading Comprehension Tests in Communicative

The questions of reading comprehension tests in communicative could cover the area of: main idea, supporting idea, inference, tone & style, passage structure, application, and logical reasoning. Reading comprehension tests in communicative could use: Close ended question, multiple choice, completion, and true-false.

Cloze procedure[+Tests of Grammar] and Reading [Communicative]

BY:

Winarsih, Nastiti F.O. & Grandis S.A.

Definition

Cloze Procedure is the practice of measuring language proficiency or language comprehension by requiring examinees to restore words that have been removed from otherwise normal text.

The reason why using Close Procedure

Using cloze-procedure helps pupils with their reading and writing.

Using this activity will help support learners in looking at either semantic patterns or sentence structure.

Writing is the hardest skill for bilingual pupils to master so it is important to scaffold writing tasks by using writing frames, matching words to pictures and using cloze procedures.

The Characteristic of Cloze Test

Cloze test items consist of words that are deleted from a text after allowing a few sentences of introduction.

The deletion rate is mechanically set, usually between every 5th and 8th .

Candidates have to fill each gap by supplying the words they think has been deleted [Weir, 1990:46].

Kind of Cloze Test

• Based on how the blanks are created, generally, there are two kinds of cloze: fixed-ratio and rational deletion.
• Fixed-ratio [nth word deletion]:

Delete every nth word, no matter what word it is. [n=5~11 in normal practice]

• Rational deletion [selective deletion]

The words are deleted on the basis of some rational decision.

The Varieties of Cloze Test

F In the fixed-ratio method, every n-th word is indiscriminately deleted. nis its frequency that determines the number of deletions.

F The interval deletion of cloze test is between 3rd 11th word.

F The most widely favoured for deletion: 5th, 6th, and 7th.

F Variable-ratio methodomits only certain kind of words which the constructor thinks of the importance for a certain purposes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.

F In modified fixed-ratio method, words are deleted on a regular counting basis, but certain items are skipped. These items include names of persons, places, objects, dates, months etc.

Three scoring methods

• Exact word method
• Acceptable word method
• Native Speaker

Cloze Technique

• Progressive
• Regressive
• Successive

Strengths and Weaknesses [cloze-test]

Strengths

• Increase students achievement compared to an open-ended test
• Easy to score
• Objective
• Practical
• Understandable and unambiguous

Weaknesses

• Difficult to construct a good quality test

C-Test
Definition of C-Test

• In C-test, the rule of two has been applied: the second half of every second word has been deleted, beginning with the second word of the second sentence; the first and last sentences are left intact.

The Strengths of C-Test

In C-test, a variety of texts are recommended. A short text can be formed a large number of items.

The correction of the task can be objectively scored as it is rare to have more than one answer.

The results are encouraging in terms of reliability and validity.

The Weaknesses of C-Test

The face validity is low because there are many blanks spaces.

If the isolated words are difficult, the test takers concentrate their mind in guessing the vocabulary instead of comprehending the rading text.

Reading Comprehension Test

Modes of Reading Comprehension Test

• Close ended question
• Multiple choice
• Completion
• True-False

Reading Comprehension Can be tested in these areas

• Main Idea
• Supporting Idea
• Inference
• Tone & Style
• Passage Structure
• Application
• Logical Reasoning

Test of Grammar using Cloze/C-test

• Tests students understanding of the whole language
• More than one option may be possible
• First letter may be offered as a sample
• Difficult to test attitudes towards learning
• Some words may be impossible to guess
• Can test students IQ rather than language proficiency
• Difficult for some students [bias]

Five characteristics to measure communicative grammar

1. The test must provide more context than only a single sentence.
2. The test taker should understand what the communicative purpose of the task is.
3. He or she should also know who the intended audience is.
4. He or she must have to focus on meaning and not form to answer correctly.

Recognize is not sufficient. The test taker must be able to produce grammatical responses.

Constructing Integrative Tests: Spoken Interview

By:

Winarsih, Nastiti F.O. & Grandis

Spoken interview is one of three general formats to elicit a valid sample of oral ability.

There are at least two people involved in interview; a tester and a candidate.

v The relationship between the tester and the candidate is usually such that the candidate speaks as to a superior and is unwilling to take the initiative.

Modes of spoken interview:

v Questions and Requests for Information

There are some kinds of request:

• Request for elaboration
• Appearing not to understand
• Invitation to ask question
• Interruption
• Abrupt change of topic

v Pictures

• Single picture: to elicit descriptions
• Series of pictures or videos: to form a natural basis for narration.

v Role Play

The candidate can be asked to assume a role in a particular situation.

v Interpreting

It is interpreting both from the native language of the candidate and the language being tested.

v Prepared Monologue

It is intended for a test that the objective is the ability to make presentations.

v Reading Aloud

It is justified for a test which the objective is the development of reading skill.

Stages of Different Modes of Spoken Interview

• Stage 1: Background and Overview
• Stage 2: Assigning Candidates to Levels
• Stage 3: Conducting Interviews
• Stage 4: Assessment

Strength and Weakness

• Weakness
  • The accurate measurement of oral ability is not easy, in which it takes time and effort, including training, to obtain valid and reliable result
  • Strength
    • It can easily measure the capability of the candidates

Dos and Donts

• Dos
  • Make the oral test as long as is feasible.
  • Collect enough relevant information.
  • Set only tasks and topics that would be expected.
  • Plan the test carefully.
  • Select interviewers carefully and train them.
  • Carry out the interview in a quiet room with good acoustics.
  • Donts
    • Do not talk too much.
    • Yes/No questions should generally be avoided
    • Tester should avoid reminding the candidate that they are being assessed

Formats Used in Other Integrative Speaking Tests

• The Bilingual Syntax Measure
• The Ilyin Spoken Interview
• The Upshur Spoken Communicative Test

Strength

• BSM: The candidate can say the pragmatic utterances of the pictures.
• Ilyin: The candidate can utter words as the tester expects because the pictures are completed with time.
• Upshur:it is easy to measure.

Weakness

• BSM: the scoring of protocols is more complicated because we should combine syntactically and pragmatically value.
• Ilyin: Since it is about daily activities, there are possibilities of a story telling task, the candidate has his or her own activities.
• Upshur: time must be clearly limited.