TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES
STANDARDIZED TESTS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
COMPONENTS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Multiple Choice
Listening Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
Structure
Vocabulary
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Non-Multiple Choice
Composition
Dictation
Speaking
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
LISTENING COMPREHENSION*
* From: ©MBA Center TOEFL Study Book
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Statements & Short Dialogues & Longer Texts
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample 1
M: Why are you here so late this evening?
W: I missed my ride, so I’m waiting for the bus.
What does the woman mean?
(A) She always takes the bus
(B) She normally stays late
(C) She is leaving as soon as possible
(D) She missed the bus
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample 2
M: Why are you here so late this evening?
W: The car’s in the shop, and Joe said he’d give me a lift after 7.
What can we infer about the woman?
(A) She wants to give Joe a ride after 7
(B) She will go shopping with Joe after 7
(C) She usually drives her own car
(D) She doesn’t like having to wait so long for Joe
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample 3
M: Why are you here so late this evening?
W: Lucky me! The 5 o’clock bus actually left campus on time today!
What can we assume about this situation?
(A) She will be just on time to catch the 5 o’clock bus this evening
(B) She missed her bus because she assumed it would be late
(C) She luckily arrived on campus just in time this evening
(D) She is lucky she was on time to take the 5 o’clock bus today
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Part A: Question Patterns
1. Fixed Expressions
2. Tone and Intonation
3. Wrong Answers
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
1. Fixed Expressions:
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
IDIOMS and CLICHÉS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample
W: Have you saved enough money to buy that new printer yet?
M: You know, money seems to be burning a hole in my pocket lately. Maybe next month.
What does the man mean?
(A) He thinks the printer will be cheaper to buy next month
(B) He has not had a chance to pay the whole price for the printer
(C) He will definitely buy the printer next month
(D) He will buy the printer when he has enough money
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
^ dime a dozen
^ I’ve got a frog in my throat
^ put all your eggs in one basket
^ holding all the cards
^ don’t cry over spilled milk
^ walk on egg shells
^ to spill the beans
^ she eats like a bird
^ I’m dying to
^ I’m dog tired
^ it’s taking forever
^ no way!
^ you can say that again!
^ by leaps and bounds
^ a heart of gold
^ in one ear and out the other
^ at loggerheads
^ get one’s goat
^ I’ve had it with
^ talk some sense into him
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
PHRASAL VERBS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample
W: Have you made me a copy of that new CD you bought?
M: I’ve had my CD player for a whole week, but I haven’t yet figured out how to record a cassette.
What can we assume about the man?
(A) He has not yet made a copy of the CD for the woman
(B) It took him a whole week to make a copy of the CD
(C) He figured it would take too much time to make a copy
(D) He could not get his new CD player to work last week
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests fill out
call off
give back
ask out
get along
bring up
hand in
tear down
complete
cancel
return
invite
be friendly
introduce a topic
submit
demolish
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests look after
turn in
think over
turn on
turn down
point out
run into
drop out
take care of
go to bed
contemplate
start
refuse
indicate
encounter
quit
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
2. Tone and Intonation
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample
W: Did you know that the history assignment is due tomorrow?
M: What!
What does the man mean?
(A) He does not understand what she said
(B) He wants to know what assignment she means
(C) He thinks the assignment is due the next day
(D) He did not realize that the assignment is due tomorrow
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Examples:
Betty was with John last night!
Betty was with John last night!
Betty was with John last night!
Betty was with John last night!
“John” said the boss, “is stupid.”
John said the boss is stupid
David Smith is flying to Washington Tuesday morning
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3. Wrong Answers:
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample
W: Do you know if Bill is coming out with us to the movies tonight?
M: I think he’s trying to catch up on all of his late work..
What does the man imply about Bill?
(A) Bill will probably not be going to the movies
(B) Bill loves going to the movies on Tuesday
(C) Bill is a terrific guy to go to the movies with
(D) Bill had hotpot last night
(B) Bill will be at work this evening and catch up with them later
(C) Bill spilled ketchup all over his work, and cannot go
(D) Bill will definitely not go to the movies this evening
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3a. NEGATIVES
^ Bill will not go to the movies if he has not finished his work
^ Bill will go to the movies if he has not finished his work
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample
M: Are you going to the computer room to type your paper?
W: Not if my laptop is back from the shop.
What will the woman do?
(A) She will not type her paper at the lab if her laptop is not fixed
(B) She will type her paper at the lab if her laptop is not fixed
(C) She will type her paper at the lab no matter what
(D) She will not type her paper at the lab if her word processor is fixed
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3b. OPPOSITES
^ Bill was lazy this term and did not finish all of his work on time
^ Bill met all of his deadlines, although he was lazy this term as usual
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample
M: I’ll give you a call this weekend to talk about my new truck.
W: My phone’s been disconnected.
What does the woman imply?
(A) She will call him instead to talk about his new truck
(B) He cannot call her this weekend to talk about his truck
(C) He can call her this weekend to talk about his truck
(D) She does not like to talk on the phone, especially about trucks
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3c. HOMOPHONES and MINIMAL PAIRS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Sample
W: Can you help me to get ready for this exam?
M: You can try me some day this week, but don’t hold me to it.
What does the man mean?
(A) He can help her out Sunday next week
(B) He cannot help her because he has a cold
(C) He was feeling weak on Sunday
(D) He may be able to help her out
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests principal
prophet
site
night
pear
allowed
here
corps
two
principle
profit
sight
knight
pair
aloud
hear
core
too, to
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests fir
weight
bread
some
oar
waist
aisle
boulder
mist
fur
wait
bred
sum
or, ore
waste
isle
bolder
missed
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests plane
led
heir
base
root
rose
steal
sail
read
plain
lead
air
bass
route
rows
steel
sale
red, reed
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests wood
coarse
bear
heard
week
new
pedal
medal
fare
would
course
bear, bare
herd
weak
knew
peddle
meddle
fair
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests soul
toe
seam
prey
dew
hour
sew
kernel
peer
sole
tow
seem
pray
due
our
sow
colonel
pier
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1 a) cheep 6 a) jeering
b) jeep b) cheering
2 a) joking 7 a) britches
b) choking b) bridges
3 a) gin 8 a) etch
b) chin b) edge
a) large 9 a) jar
b) larch b) char
5 a) H 10 a) lunch
b) age b) lunge
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1 a) peel 6 a) seeping
b) pill b) sipping
2 a) ship 7 a) cheeks
b) sheep b) chicks
3 a) beat 8 a) bins
b) bit b) beans
a) hills 9 a) leap
b) heels b) lip
5 a) hitting 10 a) bid
b) heating b) bead
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1 a) tin 6 a) den
b) ten b) din
2 a) well 7 a) penned
b) will b) pinned
3 a) chicks 8 a) wrist
b) checks b) wrest
a) felled 9 a) tilling
b) filled b) telling
5 a) bill 10 a) bet
b) bell b) bit
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1 a) tin 6 a) fat
b) din b) fad
2 a) teens 7 a) drunk
b) deans b) trunk
3 a) dent 8 a) drain
b) tent b) train
a) coat 9 a) write
b) code b) ride
5 a) let 10 a) cards
b) led b) carts
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1 a) load 6 a) lot
b) road b) rot
2 a) rice 7 a) wrong
b) lice b) long
3 a) right 8 a) rust
b) light b) lust
a) wrist 9 a) hung
b) list b) rung
5 a) lie 10 a) loom
b) rye b) room
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1 a) pilot 6 a) shines
b) cook b) become bigger
2 a) mark mistakes 7 a) transparent material
b) gather b) lawn
3 a) trip by air 8 a) gullet
b) scare b) foot
a) part of a ship 9 a) color
b) farm tool b) fermented drink
5 a) ascent 10 a) insect
b) offense b) unrestricted
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Part B: Approaching the Questions
1. Determine the central idea
2. Error identification and elimination
3. Guessing
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
1. Determine the central idea:
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
USE THE ANSWER CHOICES TO HELP DETRMINE THE CONTEXT
(A) Joe is not feeling very well today
(B) Joe is feeling very well today
(C) Joe hurt his arm in football practice
(D) Joe doesn’t want to go to football practice today
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
RECOGNIZE KEY WORDS
Sample
M: I’ve been searching all over for you. How did it go on the math exam?
W: It seemed like the hardest thing in the world – you know, the trigonometry and all. Then I found out it won’t count.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
LISTEN FOR TONE AND INTONATION
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
2. Error identification and elimination:
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests ANSWER CHOICES THAT ARE OFF THE TOPIC
Sample
M: What are you doing after class tonight? Do you want to go to my place?
W: I have to stay home to finish my paper.
What does the woman mean?
(A) She has already made plans to go home
(B) She thinks his house is too far away
(C) She doesn’t think it would be a good idea
(D) She will help the man with his paper
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests ANSWER CHOICES THAT ARE TOO EXTREME
Sample
W: Hey, are you going to meet Joe tonight to study?
T: Joe? After the last exam?
What can we infer about the man?
(A) He is a real loser
(B) He is a failure at school
(C) He is hated by the teachers
(D) He is probably not the best person to study with
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests ANSWER CHOICES WITH HOMOPHONES
Sample
M: I need to buy a new pair of shoes?
W: You should wait till the thirtieth – I hear they’re having a sale.
What does the woman imply?
(A) The man should not stop by because they’re out sailing
(B) The man does not need thirteen pears
(C) Shoes cost less here than they do there
(D) The man will save money if he delays his purchase
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3. Guessing:
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Part C: Question Types
1. Detail Questions
2. Idiom and Intonation Questions
3. Suggestion Questions
4. Assumption Questions
5. Prediction Questions
6. Implication Questions
7. Problem Questions
8. Topic Questions
9. Inference Questions
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1. DETAIL QUESTIONS
Sample
M: When will the scores be posted?
W: Sometime Tuesday afternoon on the wall next to his office.
When will the student be able to find out how he did on the exam?
(A) This afternoon
(B) Next week
(C) On Tuesday
(D) On Thursday
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 2. IDIOM AND INTONATION QUESTIONS
Sample
M: I decided I need a break. I’m not going to go to class today.
W: Count me in!
What does the woman mean?
(A) She enjoys going to class
(B) She is not going to class today
(C) She does not need a break
(D) She thinks the man does not know how to count
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 3. SUGGESTION QUESTIONS
Sample
W: I can’t believe I locked my keys in my car. It looks as though I’m going to have to call a locksmith to open the door.
M: Why don’t you try calling the car dealership first? Maybe they have extra copies of the keys..
What does the man suggest the woman do?
(A) Lock the door of the car dealership
(B) Leave the car keys with him
(C) Immediately call the locksmith
(D) Try something else before calling the locksmith
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 4. ASSUMPTION QUESTIONS
Sample
W: If we miss our bus we can always stay at Bill’s apartment.
M: Bill lives close to school?.
What had the woman assumed about Bill?
(A) Bill lives near the school
(B) Bill prefers to stay inside his apartment all day
(C) Bill missed his bus
(D) Bill lives far from school
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 5. PREDICTION QUESTIONS
Sample
M: I’ll take a round trip ticket to Yichang, please. I need to leave immediately.
W: I’m sorry, sir. There are no weekend buses to Yichang. Flying might be your only option..
What will the man probably do?
(A) Take a bus to Yichang next weekend
(B) Drive to Yichang
(C) Take a plane to Yichang next weekend
(D) Take a plane to Yichang immediately
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 6. IMPLICATION QUESTIONS
Sample
M: Bill promised me that we would go running five miles every morning.
W: Really? Bill smokes three packs of cigarettes a day..
What does the woman imply?
(A) Bill promised he would stop smoking
(B) Bill may not be in good physical condition
(C) Bill does not keep promises
(D) Bill should quit smoking
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 7. PROBLEM QUESTIONS
Sample
W: We tried to run your card through twice, but it was declined both times
M: I guess I’ll have to wait to buy books until I have enough cash.
What is the man’s problem?
(A) He may need to run home to get more cash
(B) He may have to order the books by mail
(C) He may not have enough credit to make the purchase now
(D) The bookstore has run out of the books he needs
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 8. TOPIC QUESTION
Sample
M: Tell me all about the show.
W: There were about 80.000 people there. I had a fantastic time. My ears are still ringing from the loud music though.
What are the man and the woman talking about?
(A) A rock concert
(B) An American football game in a big stadium
(C) A theater production
(D) A chamber music concert
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 9. INFERENCE QUESTIONS
Sample
W: Did you go to the bookstore yet to pick up your books?
M: I’m waiting for my paycheck to arrive.
What can be inferred about the man?
(A) He is buying the books today because he just received his paycheck
(B) He has not yet picked up his books
(C) He must pay for the books by check because he does not have enough cash with him
(D) He must put in a special order for the books and wait for them to arrive
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests News
1. Know what is going on in the world
2. News, news, news
3. Know the countries of the world
4. Politics
5. Natural and other disasters
6. Economics
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD
Listen, read, & watch
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests NEWS, NEWS, NEWS
www.bbc.com.uk
www.abc.net.au
www.cn.com
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests KNOW THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD
Asia
Middle East
Europe
North/South America
Africa
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Agreements and Cooperation Talks (treaty, pact)
Party Coalitions (elections, voting)
Heads of State (PM, Chancellor, President, Monarch)
Government Officials (minister, secretary of state)
Conflicts (rebellion, kidnapping, uprising)
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests NATURAL & OTHER DISASTERS
Floods; Earthquakes, Storms, Fires, Draughts
Accidents (trains, planes, ferries)
Explosions, Shootings
Ecology
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests ECONOMICS
Trade agreements
Imports, Export
Indexes
Market, Market shares
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Dictation
1. Know the topic
2. Understand the gist
3. Never leave blanks
4. Proofread
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests TOPIC
No specialized knowledge necessary
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests UNDERSTAND THE GIST
Listen to the whole text first
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests NEVER LEAVE BLANKS
Write what it sounds like
[shenl, tschenl, chandl, chanl, channel]
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests REVIEW
Use every second available to
review
check
and revise your work
EVERY POINT COUNTS!!!
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
VOCABULARY & STRUCTURE
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests I hadn’t expected James to apologize but I had hoped __________ .
a) him calling me c) him to call me
b) that he would call me d) that he call me
My husband lived at home before we were married, and so __________ .
did I c) I had
had I d) I did
Does your new secretary __________ shorthand?
know to take c) know how take
know how to take d) know how taking
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 4. Tommy had his big brother __________ his shoes for him.
a) to tie c) tied
b) tie d) tying
I wish that the weather __________ not so warm.
was c) were
be d) is
6. His English teacher recommends that he __________
a regular degree program.
begin c) will begin
begins d) is beginning
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 7. Let’s go out for dinner, __________?
will we c) shall we
don’t we d) are we
8. I’d __________ the operation unless it is absolutely necessary.
rather not have c) rather not to have
not rather had d) rather not having
9. If I __________ the flu I would have gone with you
hadn’t c) didn’t have
hadn’t had d) wouldn’t have had
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1. The heat was so great that it caused the nose cone of the rocket to (obscure, ignite) and burn with an intense white flame.
2. An international (pact, narrative) is no more than a scrap pf paper unless the salesmen who sign it sincerely intend to carry it out.
3. This campaign to reduce traffic accidents will be (futile, rural) unless it has the full cooperation of the public.
4. As the children entered the room and saw the long table (laden, decreases) with good things to eat, they shrieked with delight.
5. It seems (abnormal, authoritative) for a young girl to have so little interest in her personal appearance.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 6. Few carpenters today have the (handicraft, authoritative) skills needed to produce a chest like this.
7. The chairman threatened to have them (ejected, obscured) if they continued to upset the meeting.
8. As more and more people move to the cities, our (rural, radiant) population is decreasing
9. Although she had the leading role in the play, she learned her lines with great (facility, handicraft).
10. As she told us the good news, her face was (radiant, laden) with joy.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1. I have been practicing for weeks to get ready for the (oracle, tournament).
2. (Fragile, Intangible) Humpty Dumpty fell of the wall and was completely shattered.
3. There was a(n) (strident, intangible) air of mystery about this visitor.
4. The President had only a few minutes; he (imbibed, scrawled) his signature in the autograph album and left for the meeting.
5. If you planned your work instead of doing everything at (peevish, random), you would have enough time for everything.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 6. She may pretend to be sweet and pleasant, but she’ll act like a (pate, vixen) if she doesn’t get her own way.
7. The cage is fenced to (restrain, expedite) people from feeding the animals.
8. On a hot day I could (attribute, imbibe) about a gallon of lemonade before I finish mowing the lawn.
9. The candidate certainly seems to have every (attribute, carouse) necessary for a good governor.
10. The package was marked “Fragile” and mailed special delivery in order to (expedite, scrawl) its prompt and safe delivery.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1. Of the two lectures (a) the first one was by far (b) the best, partly because the person (c) who delivered it had (d) such a dynamic style.
2. After he had researched his paper and (a) wrote (b) it, he found (c) some additional data that he (d) should have included.
3. The colonel wanted (a) to retreat, but the general insisted that (b) he continue (c) do everything necessary in order (d) to win the battle.
4. There (a) are not (b) many people (c) which adapt to a new culture without (d) feeling some disorientation first.
5. Because of the accident, the judge forbade Joe and (a) me (b) from (c) driving (d) for six months.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 6. That modern science (a) knows to assist women who are unable (b) to give birth to babies (c) by normal means (d) is one of the miracles of modern medicine.
7. Bob wishes that his wife (a) understands (b) why he has not had time to write (c) her (d) lately.
8. (a) Because of the light, the city seemed (b) differently (c) from the way that I (d) had remembered it.
9. Although she seems to be (a) very mature, Ann is (b) much younger (c) as (d) the other girls in her class.
10. The national TV networks have been criticized (a) for (b) not showing (c) much good movies (d) during prime time.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Vocabulary and Structure
1. Problems with Verbs
2. Problems with Nouns
3. Problems with Pronouns
4. Problems with Modifiers
5. Problems with Comparison
6. Problems with Prepositions
7. Problems with Conjunctions
8. Problems with Word Choice
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests ENDINGS
A) NOUNS
-cy -ship
-er -ion
-or -age
-ance -ist
-ance -ice
-ism -dom
-ity -hood
-ment -ure
-ness -ee
-ess
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests B) VERBS
-ize
-fy-
en-
ate
C) ADJECTIVES
-ful -ive -able (-ible, -uble)
-ate -y -al
-ish -some -ic
-ous -less
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
READING COMPREHENSION
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Americans do not give cooking, ‘considered as one of the fine arts’, an important place in life. Lunch is for them a kind of gratuity paid to the body. They hurriedly toss in a fruit or a fish and go back to work. Certain writers, in rebellion, have founded the club “Three Hours for Lunch”, but they are an agreeable exception. Even at dinner, general conversation is rare. Everyone talks to his neighbor. After dinner, the men linger at the table, a custom inherited from England. In New York, your host will often provide a pianist, A singer, a lecturer. The idea of leaving the guests to themselves, and expecting them to get pleasure out of meeting one another, astonishes and even appalls him. His excessive modesty does not permit his imagining that his friends can be happy merely in being in the house, with one another. He treats them like children. On Christmas Eve you will see, in some of the pleasantest homes in New York, Christmas trees for gown people. In other places, after a dinner at which you exchange ideas, there will be a prestidigitator who will do his best to amuse the oldsters. There you must realize that the absence of conversation in America comes, not from absence of ideas or lack of intelligence or understanding, but from an unconquerable shyness and prodigious self-distrust.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
1. The Americans hurry through their lunch because
a) they are ambitious
b) they have rebelled against English customs
c) they don’t think it’s important
d) talking while eating is impolite
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
2. The author believes that
a) people are capable of getting pleasure out of meeting one another
b) people enjoy their food better when they have entertainment with it
c) Americans don’t want to act like mature adults
d) Americans don’t think deeply enough to be good conversationalist
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3. The author talks about some American writers who
a) wrote stories about American eating habits
b) decided to enjoy leisurely lunches
c) eat while they work
d) wrote short plays to be presented at fancy night clubs
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
4. The author says that Americans are
a) happy
b) honest
c) healthy
d) humble
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
5. In England
a) the men are accustomed to money
b) the men remain at the table to talk
c) the guests expect the host to have entertainment for them
d) people don’t consider Christmas dinner important
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
1. The Americans hurry through their lunch because
a) they are ambitious
b) they have rebelled against English customs
c) they don’t think it’s important
d) talking while eating is impolite
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Americans do not give cooking, ‘considered as one of the fine arts’, an important place in life. Lunch is for them a kind of gratuity paid to the body. They hurriedly toss in a fruit or a fish and go back to work. Certain writers, in rebellion, have founded the club “Three Hours for Lunch”, but they are an agreeable exception. Even at dinner, general conversation is rare. Everyone talks to his neighbor. After dinner, the men linger at the table, a custom inherited from England. In New York, your host will often provide a pianist, A singer, a lecturer. The idea of leaving the guests to themselves, and expecting them to get pleasure out of meeting one another, astonishes and even appalls him. His excessive modesty does not permit his imagining that his friends can be happy merely in being in the house, with one another. He treats them like children. On Christmas Eve you will see, in some of the pleasantest homes in New York, Christmas trees for gown people. In other places, after a dinner at which you exchange ideas, there will be a prestidigitator who will do his best to amuse the oldsters. There you must realize that the absence of conversation in America comes, not from absence of ideas or lack of intelligence or understanding, but from an unconquerable shyness and prodigious self-distrust.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
2. The author believes that
a) people are capable of getting pleasure out of meeting one another
b) people enjoy their food better when they have entertainment with it
c) Americans don’t want to act like mature adults
d) Americans don’t think deeply enough to be good conversationalist
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Americans do not give cooking, ‘considered as one of the fine arts’, an important place in life. Lunch is for them a kind of gratuity paid to the body. They hurriedly toss in a fruit or a fish and go back to work. Certain writers, in rebellion, have founded the club “Three Hours for Lunch”, but they are an agreeable exception. Even at dinner, general conversation is rare. Everyone talks to his neighbor. After dinner, the men linger at the table, a custom inherited from England. In New York, your host will often provide a pianist, A singer, a lecturer. The idea of leaving the guests to themselves, and expecting them to get pleasure out of meeting one another, astonishes and even appalls him. His excessive modesty does not permit his imagining that his friends can be happy merely in being in the house, with one another. He treats them like children. On Christmas Eve you will see, in some of the pleasantest homes in New York, Christmas trees for gown people. In other places, after a dinner at which you exchange ideas, there will be a prestidigitator who will do his best to amuse the oldsters. There you must realize that the absence of conversation in America comes, not from absence of ideas or lack of intelligence or understanding, but from an unconquerable shyness and prodigious self-distrust.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3. The author talks about some American writers who
a) wrote stories about American eating habits
b) decided to enjoy leisurely lunches
c) eat while they work
d) wrote short plays to be presented at fancy night clubs
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Americans do not give cooking, ‘considered as one of the fine arts’, an important place in life. Lunch is for them a kind of gratuity paid to the body. They hurriedly toss in a fruit or a fish and go back to work. Certain writers, in rebellion, have founded the club “Three Hours for Lunch”, but they are an agreeable exception. Even at dinner, general conversation is rare. Everyone talks to his neighbor. After dinner, the men linger at the table, a custom inherited from England. In New York, your host will often provide a pianist, A singer, a lecturer. The idea of leaving the guests to themselves, and expecting them to get pleasure out of meeting one another, astonishes and even appalls him. His excessive modesty does not permit his imagining that his friends can be happy merely in being in the house, with one another. He treats them like children. On Christmas Eve you will see, in some of the pleasantest homes in New York, Christmas trees for gown people. In other places, after a dinner at which you exchange ideas, there will be a prestidigitator who will do his best to amuse the oldsters. There you must realize that the absence of conversation in America comes, not from absence of ideas or lack of intelligence or understanding, but from an unconquerable shyness and prodigious self-distrust.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
4. The author says that Americans are
a) happy
b) honest
c) healthy
d) humble
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Americans do not give cooking, ‘considered as one of the fine arts’, an important place in life. Lunch is for them a kind of gratuity paid to the body. They hurriedly toss in a fruit or a fish and go back to work. Certain writers, in rebellion, have founded the club “Three Hours for Lunch”, but they are an agreeable exception. Even at dinner, general conversation is rare. Everyone talks to his neighbor. After dinner, the men linger at the table, a custom inherited from England. In New York, your host will often provide a pianist, A singer, a lecturer. The idea of leaving the guests to themselves, and expecting them to get pleasure out of meeting one another, astonishes and even appalls him. His excessive modesty does not permit his imagining that his friends can be happy merely in being in the house, with one another. He treats them like children. On Christmas Eve you will see, in some of the pleasantest homes in New York, Christmas trees for gown people. In other places, after a dinner at which you exchange ideas, there will be a prestidigitator who will do his best to amuse the oldsters. There you must realize that the absence of conversation in America comes, not from absence of ideas or lack of intelligence or understanding, but from an unconquerable shyness and prodigious self-distrust.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
5. In England
a) the men are accustomed to money
b) the men remain at the table to talk
c) the guests expect the host to have entertainment for them
d) people don’t consider Christmas dinner important
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Americans do not give cooking, ‘considered as one of the fine arts’, an important place in life. Lunch is for them a kind of gratuity paid to the body. They hurriedly toss in a fruit or a fish and go back to work. Certain writers, in rebellion, have founded the club “Three Hours for Lunch”, but they are an agreeable exception. Even at dinner, general conversation is rare. Everyone talks to his neighbor. After dinner, the men linger at the table, a custom inherited from England. In New York, your host will often provide a pianist, A singer, a lecturer. The idea of leaving the guests to themselves, and expecting them to get pleasure out of meeting one another, astonishes and even appalls him. His excessive modesty does not permit his imagining that his friends can be happy merely in being in the house, with one another. He treats them like children. On Christmas Eve you will see, in some of the pleasantest homes in New York, Christmas trees for gown people. In other places, after a dinner at which you exchange ideas, there will be a prestidigitator who will do his best to amuse the oldsters. There you must realize that the absence of conversation in America comes, not from absence of ideas or lack of intelligence or understanding, but from an unconquerable shyness and prodigious self-distrust.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Step 1: Strategic Reading
1. Lead-in:
2. Background information:
3. Topic:
4. Concept:
5. Terms and examples:
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Step 2: Anticipate the questions
GENERAL INFORMATION QUESTIONS
SPECIFIC INFORMATION QUESTIONS
INFERENCE QUESTIONS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
GENERAL INFORMATION QUESTIONS
1. Main idea questions
2. Purpose questions
3. Audience questions
4. Location questions
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
SPECIFIC INFORMATION QUESTIONS
1. Questions about a fact:
2. Questions about the opinion
3. Definition of a word or an idea:
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
INFERENCE QUESTIONS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Step 3: Error detection
SCOPE (wide-narrow)
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Step 4: Identifying the level of difficulty
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
In spite of his efforts, Chief Tecumseh was not able to unite the American Indians in the Northwest Territory
a) Tecumseh did not make an effort to unite the American Indians
b) The American Indians were united as a result of Tecumseh’s efforts
c) Tecumseh tried to unite the American Indians but he was unable to do so
d) Because he did not try to unite the American Indians, Tecumseh was not able to be chief.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
2. It would have been an ideal location for a nuclear energy plant except for the opposition of the people of the nearby town
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
3. Unless the entire balance is paid within thirty days of the billing date, a finance charge of 1.5% per month must also be paid.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
4. Although some jokes are funny in any language, many cannot be translated very well
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
Step 5: If you cannot find the right answer,
GUESS
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Read the following passage and write down the answer to the questions
The grifty snolls cloppered rauncingly along the unchoofed trake. They were clary, so the higgled on, sperately. “Ah, chiwar kurvay,” they squopped rehopely. “Mi psar Quaj!” “Quaj” snilled one, and filted even chucklier.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Where did the snolls clopper?
What was the trake like?
Why did they higgle on?
Why did they clopper rauncingly?
Why did they higgle sperately?
Would an unchoofed trake be easy or difficult to drive on?
Did the snolls travel quietly or noisily?
How do we know?
What was the name of the place they were going to?
Was the one snoll in a good or a bad mood?
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests Where did the snolls clopper? (along the trake)
What was the trake like? (unchoofed)
Why did they higgle on? (clary/sperately)
Why did they clopper rauncingly? (grifty/unchoofed)
Why did they higgle sperately? (clary)
Would an unchoofed trake be easy or difficult to drive on? (+/- unchoofed)
Did the snolls travel quietly or noisily? (“!”)
How do we know? (-)
What was the name of the place they were going to?
Was the one snoll in a good or a bad mood? (filted/chucklier)
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
COMPOSITION
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 1. One evening I went out walking. I was alone. I became almost lost on the mountainside. I tried to find my own tracks back. Night came on. I had not reached the camp. A storm had been threatening all afternoon. Now it broke over the mountain top. For a while I could guide myself by the flashes of lightening. By midnight the storm had blown away. I could no longer see the trail. I could not go on blindly through the darkness. Then I heard something. It was the distant sound of cowbells. I headed towards the sound. I shouted as I went. Soon my shouts were answered. I saw a light. Then I saw a small farmhouse. The farmer came to meet me. He carried a lantern. How glad I was to see him! My clothes were wet. I was tired. He took me into the house. He started a fire. He gave me hot coffee. He gave me dry clothes. We talked for a while. I told him that I stayed at the camp. He said he would take me to the camp in the morning. Then he took me upstairs to a small bedroom. I slept until late next morning.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 2. There are few moments in a man’s existence when he experiences so much ludicrous distress, or meets with so little charitable commiseration, as when he is in pursuit of his own hat. A vast deal of coolness, and a peculiar degree of judgment, are prerequisite in catching a hat. A man must not be precipitate, or he runs over it; he must not rush into the opposite extreme, or he loses it altogether. The best way is: to keep gently up with the object of pursuit, to be vary and cautious, to watch your opportunity well, get gradually before it, then make a rapid dive, seize it by the crown, and stick it firmly on your head, smiling pleasantly all the time, as if you thought it as good a joke as anybody else.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests COMPOSITION
Variety
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 3. A good desk dictionary is the best and most useful text a student can buy.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 3. A good desk dictionary is the best and most useful text a student can buy. But it is valuable only if it is consistently and intelligently used. Contrary to what students think, the dictionary contains much more information than just spelling and definitions. For example, most good dictionaries have a chapter summarizing the rules of punctuation and capitalization. Many also have charts on weights and measurements, lists of famous names, and a list of geographic names. In fact, the dictionary is a real treasury of all sorts of information. And in addition, the dictionary is necessary for providing information about pronunciation, spelling, and word meaning.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests COMPOSITION
Variety
Topic Sentence
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 4. Michigan is a hunter’s paradise.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 4. Michigan is a hunter’s paradise. All kinds of wild game abound in the upper peninsula. Michigan has perhaps more coastline than any other state in America, being practically surrounded by Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. Along the coast almost every beach is an ideal location for vacation camps. The lakes are eagerly sought by fishermen for pleasure or profit.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 4. Michigan is a hunter’s paradise. All kinds of wild game abound in the upper peninsula. Michigan has perhaps more coastline than any other state in America, being practically surrounded by Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. Along the coast almost every beach is an ideal location for vacation camps. The lakes are eagerly sought by fishermen for pleasure or profit.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests COMPOSITION
Variety
Topic Sentence
Unity
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 5. After the death of Saul, David ruled for forty years. Once he made the king angry and was driven from court. As a shepherd boy he had lived in the hills. He had defeated the mighty Philistine with his slingshot. King Saul was charmed with his songs. He was the sweetest singer in the country.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 5a David, the shepherd boy who lived in the hills, was the sweetest singer in the country. It was he who charmed King Saul. It was he, too who defeated the mighty Philistines with his slingshot. Later he made the king angry and was driven from court. But upon Saul’s death David came back and ruled the country for forty years.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests COMPOSITION
Variety
Topic Sentence
Unity
Coherence
order, transition
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests 3. A good desk dictionary is the best and most useful text a student can buy. But it is valuable only if it is consistently and intelligently used. Contrary to what students think, the dictionary contains much more information than just spelling and definitions. For example, most good dictionaries have a chapter summarizing the rules of punctuation and capitalization. Many also have charts on weights and measurements, lists of famous names, and a list of geographic names. In fact, the dictionary is a real treasury of all sorts of information. And in addition, the dictionary is necessary for providing information about pronunciation, spelling, and word meaning.
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests COMPOSITION
Variety
Topic Sentence
Coherence
order, transition
Paragraph Development
fact, examples, illustrations, detail, comparison
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
The Expository Essay
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
1. PURPOSE:
The purpose of an expository essay is to explain or discuss a topic clearly. It is basically an argument of a point of view stated at the opening of the exposition
TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests : TEST TAKING STRATEGIES English Language Tests
2. TOPIC OR OPENING STATEMENT:
The purpose of the opening statement is to provide a clear statement of the exposition and the writer’s point of view on that topic. Generally this statement constitutes one paragraph, the introduction of the essay. The introductory paragraph should be gener