D
Scores on English tests are very important to students around the world. In order to make sure that they do their best, both students and teachers should stay informed of how these tests are changing.
Clive Roberts, a director at ELS Educational Services, says the tests are changing greatly in response to the global growth in the use of English as a common language among people with different native languages. He says, " English is one of the keys now to international student mobility. So, for that reason, a lot of new tests are being developed; old tests are being revamped to meet the needs of universities and employers worldwide."
Mr. Roberts says several parts of standardized tests have changed recently. Now, many tests are given on computers. And, he says, tests measure all four skills of language learning: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Computer testing will reduce the length of time required for testing, because the tests adjust to the test-taker's ability. These computer adaptive tests also increase accuracy in scoring. Computer-adaptive tests change depending on the test-taker's responses. They can beçome more or less difficult during the testing session. For this reason, the set of correct answers will be different for each test-taker.
Another change to language testing relates to cultural sensitivity. Mr. Roberts says test development companies are now hiring people with intercultural communication backgrounds. The companies want to make sure the test does not upset test takers. Having negative feelings may affect a student's performance on the test.
The tests have also become more proficiency - oriented. The items are being designed in such a way that they test real-world proficiency and not simply sort of an artificial environment or a specific set of skills that are taught in a classroom. So a lot of authentic texts, and a lot of authentic listening passages are being used.
In addition, changes to the tests will encourage schools to teach their students to use English for everyday life and study.
32. What does the writer intend to do in Paragraph 1?
A. Introduce the topic of the text.
B. Emphasize the importance of English test scores.
C. Talk about the changed tests.
D. Show his/her concern about language learning.
33. Which of the following may replace the underlined word" revamped" in Paragraph 2?
A. increased B. improved C. simplified D. saved
34. Which of the following is NOT a change of the English test?
A. Time-saving. B. Computer-assisted.
C. Inflexibility. D. Real-world proficiency.
35. People with intercultural communication backgrounds are employed ________.
A. to take the test themselves first
B. to evaluate the quality of the test
C. to ensure the test won't be culturally offensive
D. to tell the intercultural differences arising from the test
32-35 ABCC
Scores on English tests are very important to students around the world. In order to make sure that they do their best, both students and teachers should stay informed of how these tests are changing.
Clive Roberts, a director at ELS Educational Services, says the tests are changing greatly in response to the global growth in the use of English as a common language among people with different native languages. He says, " English is one of the keys now to international student mobility. So, for that reason, a lot of new tests are being developed; old tests are being revamped to meet the needs of universities and employers worldwide."
Mr. Roberts says several parts of standardized tests have changed recently. Now, many tests are given on computers. And, he says, tests measure all four skills of language learning: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Computer testing will reduce the length of time required for testing, because the tests adjust to the test-taker's ability. These computer adaptive tests also increase accuracy in scoring. Computer-adaptive tests change depending on the test-taker's responses. They can beçome more or less difficult during the testing session. For this reason, the set of correct answers will be different for each test-taker.
Another change to language testing relates to cultural sensitivity. Mr. Roberts says test development companies are now hiring people with intercultural communication backgrounds. The companies want to make sure the test does not upset test takers. Having negative feelings may affect a student's performance on the test.
The tests have also become more proficiency - oriented. The items are being designed in such a way that they test real-world proficiency and not simply sort of an artificial environment or a specific set of skills that are taught in a classroom. So a lot of authentic texts, and a lot of authentic listening passages are being used.
In addition, changes to the tests will encourage schools to teach their students to use English for everyday life and study.
32. What does the writer intend to do in Paragraph 1?
A. Introduce the topic of the text.
B. Emphasize the importance of English test scores.
C. Talk about the changed tests.
D. Show his/her concern about language learning.
33. Which of the following may replace the underlined word" revamped" in Paragraph 2?
A. increased B. improved C. simplified D. saved
34. Which of the following is NOT a change of the English test?
A. Time-saving. B. Computer-assisted.
C. Inflexibility. D. Real-world proficiency.
35. People with intercultural communication backgrounds are employed ________.
A. to take the test themselves first
B. to evaluate the quality of the test
C. to ensure the test won't be culturally offensive
D. to tell the intercultural differences arising from the test
32-35 ABCC
