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Testing " types of questions + cons/pros " - Coggle Diagram
Testing " types of questions + cons/pros "
2
cloze
+
• Uses whole text
• Can’t be ‘memorised’ or strategized
• Easy to mark if well written
-
• Only focuses on accuracy not on understanding
• If a learner has not seen the technique it is hard to do
dictation
+
• Tests a range of listening and writing skills (also some systems knowledge)
• Easy to create
-
• How will you allocate points ? for partly right things ?
• Can be done with limited understanding of the text
1
Essay
+
allows a learner to show a range of language (they could respond with something very simple or very complex).
can be used to assess writing skills, grammar, cohesion etc etc
easy to set
cannot be ‘guessed’ and would have good backwash.
-
hard to mark (time and reliability)
learner might underperform e.g. not write much, or have no ideas to express (which is not a problem of language)
a skill only needed in academic life (so not particularly useful for many adults ).
Sentence transformations
+
• It makes grammar explicit
• The learner has to know the language to do it (proactive response required not passive recognition)
-
Some transformations can be done mechanically with no understanding
• Decontextualized
• Will there be half marks ?
3
Sentence completion
+
Requires active production from the learner
Doesn’t require the learner to find ideas
-
Often open to a range of correct answers
Decontextualized language not being used for a communicative purpose
Oral test
+
Positive wash back (there will be speaking in class)
Lots of face validity (most learners need and want to speak – this looks like it tests speaking)
-
Time consuming
Difficult to make marking reliable
Multiple choice
+
• Easy to mark
• Can test very specific things
-
Hard to write well
• Only tests recognition of things
• You can guess answers and still be right.