Handout 1. WHY TEST GRAMMAR? -Grammatical ability or the lack of it sets limits to what can be achieved in other skills.
-It is useful to diagnose what gaps exist in the repertoire of students.
-It is helpful to inform teachers and learners to take responsability for filling the existing gaps.
TECHNIQUES FOR TESTING GRAMMAR 1. Gap filling Ideally gap filling items should have just one correct response.
What was most disturbing………. that for the first time in his life Ali was on his way. (was)
He arrived late, ……… was a surprise. (which)
The council must do something to improve transport in the city. ………. they will lose the next election. (Otherwise)
An item with two possible correct responses can be used. For example:
He displayed the wide, bright smile …….. had charmed so many people before. (which, that)
In this case one item is to be rejected.
There can be use of more than two items for filling the sentence. For example:
Dr:………. let her cry. She’ll stop in the end. (just, I’d, well, then, etc.)
This technique can be used to test a variety of structures.
2. Paraphrase. Paraphrase items require the students to write a sentence equivalent in meaning to one that is given. It is helpful to give part of the paraphrase in order to restrict the students to the grammatical structure being tested
For example: Testing passive, past continuous form.
When we arrived, a policeman was questioning the bank clerk.
When we arrived, the bank clerk………………..
3. Completion:This technique can be used to test a variety of structures. Simple completion itemsused for testing grammar consist of a sentence from which a grammatical element is removed. As
He went ……… school.
There are three steps to follow in preparing simple-completion grammar tests.
1. Select the grammar points that need to be tested.
2. Provide an appropriate context.
3. Write good instructions.
