Testing Vocabulary

Testing Vocabulary

Vocabulary tests are intended to measure the comprehension and production of words used in speaking and writing . Only content words (i.e. ,nouns , verbs , objectives and adverbs) are included in these tests.
The type of vocabulary test chosen is related to how we teach it. As it is nowadays not recommended that students simply memorize lists of words . Presenting words in isolation should be avoided in vocabulary tests . Vocabulary items should, therefore , be tested in context just as students are taught to work out the meaning of unfamiliar words through the context of the sentence.


Techniques for Vocabulary Testing at the
Secondary School Stage

A. Multiple – choice Items

This type of test makes the student depend on contextual clues and sentence meaning.
It also provides an opportunity for testing passive vocabulary since students have to recognize these words but not necessarily produce them.

Multiple – choice Items include the following:
I. Multiple – choice completion

Example
Complete the following by writing the number of the item and the of the letter most suitable alternative:

1. The old man was too __________ to push open the heavy door.
a. sincere b. feeble
c. harsh d. deaf

2. The boys continued __________ the programmes on T.V until midnight.
a. seeing b. listening to
c. watching d. looking at

3. We buy sugar at the __________ .
a. green – grocer’s b. grocer’s
c. baker’s d. chemist’s


Best Regards
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