Fourth Year/English Dept/Testing/2012/2013.
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
c. watching
b. listening to
d. looking at
3. We buy sugar at the __________ .
a. green – grocer’s
b. grocer’s
c. baker’s
d. chemist’s
II. Multiple – choice Synonyms
Example
Write the number of the item and the letter of the word which is
closest in meaning to the underlined word:
1. The man is quite handsome.
a. hand – hearted
b. nice
c. good – looking
d. beautiful
2. People wear heavy clothes in winter.
a. light
b. thin
c. warm
d. nice
III. Multiple – choice Antonyms
Example
Write the number of the sentence and the letter of the word that
gives the opposite meaning to the underlined word.
1. This idea seems foolish.
a. good
b. wise
2. Rocks are very hard.
a. soft
b. liquid
c. unwise
c. easy
d. pleasant
d. difficult
At an advanced level multiple choice items can be used to
test vocabulary without the use of stems that have gaps.
Examine the following.
1. Which one of the following is different from the others?
a. cricket
b. billiards
c. football
d. hockey
2. "Take the acid and put it in the tube".
Where would you expect to hear this statement?
a. court
c. office
b. library
d. laboratory
B. Supply Type Completion
In this technique the students are given a group of words and
a number of sentences with blank spaces for the missing words.
The number of words has to exceed the number of sentences.
The task of the student is to supply the most appropriate
words to fill the blanks.
Example
Write the number of the sentence and the letter of the most
suitable word or phrase that fills the blank spaces.
(appointed , gave up , a variety , intrusion , accepted , distinguish
, space , afford to , underneath , promising).
1. There is not enough __________ in this hall for so many
visitors.
2. Ali __________ smoking last month.
3. The soldier is crawling __________ the barbed wires.
4. Our strong national army is always ready to defend Iraq against
any foreign__________.
5. Wisam has been __________ headmaster of the school.
6. I cannot __________ buy that expensive car.
7. It is a good idea to have __________ of foods.
8. Many of Ibn Rushd’s ideas are still __________ nowndeys.
9. Can you __________ your coat from mine.
Simple – Completion Words
This is a test of word – formation by affixation. Students are
required to fill in missing parts of words that appear in sentences.
These missing parts are usually derivational affixes such as the –
ful in respectful or the un – in unable. Context is useful here, but
the emphasis is on word – formation.
When designing these tests the teacher has to list the prefixes
and suffixes that he had taught to his students and match them
with content words within his student’s vocabulary. (including even
their passive vocabulary).
Example 1
Fill in the blank spaces with words derived from the stem
between brackets.
1. She has a __________ new dress. (beauty)
2. My __________ is very helpful. (teach)
3. Layla has a very __________ personality. (please)
4. Cultures are __________ grown germs. (artificial)
5. Their records brought __________ to millions. (please)
Example 2
This is a combined test of supply – type and word – formation
completion . Complete the sentences in the passage below by
using words derived from the following groups of words.
a. product
b. perform
c. talent
d. finance
e. prestige
f. thrill
Gina Morovo is well – known as an opera – singer , one o the
most ____ of her generation. She began singing in the _____
society in the small town where she was born. These days she
signs in the most _____ operas at La Scala and Covent Garden,
and millions of people have been _____ and delighted by her
_____ . Her talent has brought her world – wide fame, critical
acclaim and, of course, _____ security.