AIFA DIYAH GUSMAWATI

TBI 6A

Testing Grammar Testing Vocabulary

Why Test Grammar? Why test vocabulary?

As far as proficiency tests are concerned, there has been a
shift towards the view that since it is language skills that
are usually of interest, then it is these which should be
tested directly, not the abilities that seem to underlie them.
If there is little teaching of vocabulary, it may be argued
that there is little call for achievement tests of vocabulary.
For those who believe that systematic teaching of
vocabulary is desirable, vocabulary achievement tests are
appreciated for their backwash effect.

1. Gap filling 1. Recognizing Synonyms

An item is probably rejected if the different E.g.: which is the closest in meaning to “gleam”?
possibilities give different meanings or involve quite
A. gather B. shine C. welcome D. clean
different structures, one of which is the one that is
supposed to be tested. 2. Recognizing Definitions

2. Paraphrase
It is helpful to give part of the paraphrase in order to
restrict the students to the grammatical structure being
tested.
Test takers who are uncertain of which option is correct will tend
to choose the one which is noticeably different from the others.
3. Recognizing appropriate word
for context

3. Multiple Choice Context, rather than a definition or a synonym, can be used to test
knowledge of a lexical item.
Can be used to test discontinuous elements.
E.g. The strong wind _______ the man’s efforts to put up the tent.

a. disabled b. hampered c. deranged d. regaled