Designing a test

Olivia-Dumitrina Nechita

UdL 21.02.2015

Introduction:

This test, which lasts for 50 minutes, has been designed for students in second of Batxillerat

with an upper-intermediate level. This is a progress test meant to be taken at the end of a unit,

in this case “At the Polls”, in order to establish the progress of the students. It is thought as a

revision of key elements seen throughout the unit and even though it is part of the summative

assessment, it only accounts for 10 % of the final mark for the unit. Each unit has a final

progress test, yet other assessment instruments are given more protagonism (such as group

projects or individual assignments). In this way, the assessment is continuous and the teacher

has the opportunity to adapt to those students who are falling behind, before the test is

administered.

The topic of the unit is politics and all questions are related to this topic. In addition, the

students are accustomed to this type of exam since, as I have mentioned before, each unit has

a test at the end. None of the elements in the exam are new to the students and have been

practiced beforehand during the unit.

The exam starts with grammar-related questions. The grammar that the students have seen

during the unit is related to real and unreal conditions (conditionals) so there are two

questions related to this grammar point in the exam (9 points). Then, there are three short

vocabulary questions that include elements seen in the unit (23 points). Students will be

recommended to do these two parts first (grammar and vocabulary) since it could help them

develop a better opinion essay in the writing part (IV).

In the reading part (III) students read four pieces of news and decide which is the appropriate

headline for each one (20 points). Then they have to put them in the order they were printed

in order to tell a story (20 points). Finally, in the writing part (IV) students must write an

opinion essay (28 points) as a response to one of the two questions in the activity (they can

choose the question they like best). The opinion essay is also part of the unit and has been

worked with in class. In addition, students are familiar with the rubric which will be used to

assess their essay.

I decided to distribute more points to the reading and writing parts because they are longer

and require more concentration from the student than those activities from the first two parts.

Also, because they include elements of both grammar and vocabulary.

Level: 2nd

Batxillerat; upper-intermediate

Topic: Politics; Unit: “At the Polls”

Timing: 50 minutes

I estimate that students will need 10 minutes or less to complete the grammar (I) and

vocabulary (II) parts. They will most likely need more time for the reading part (III), 15

minutes. Finally, the last part which is writing (IV) can be completed in 25 minutes.

The test is valid since it is meant to measure the progress achieved by the students at the end

of a unit and only elements previously worked in class are assessed. It is reliable because

different skills are assessed through different elicitation techniques. In addition, a rubric is

provided for the assessment of the opinion essay. The test is practical since I consider that it

can be done in 50 minutes. Nevertheless, I also took into consideration the fact that some

students might need more time to complete the test due to the length of the reading and

writing parts. However, since they are 2nd

of Batxillerat students I believe that the test can be

done in 50 minutes, although I have some doubts.

Progress test

Unit: At the polls

Name:

Date:

I. Grammar

1. Insert the words in brackets in the sentences. (4 points)

1) Anyone can become the president of the US they want to badly enough

and they’re ready to work hard to get what they want. (provided)

2) Don’t enter politics you know exactly why you’re doing it and what you want out of it.

(unless)

3) He might have won the election he hadn’t lost his temper and insulted his opponent live on

TV. (if)

4) I would only enter politics I could guarantee the privacy of my wife and children. (so long as)

2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense. (5 points)

1. I (not/vote) for a celebrity politician unless I really liked his films.

2. I’d never vote for a politician if he (not/ be) born in my country.

3. I’d prefer it if there (be) more women politicians.

4. If I (have) the chance, I’d love to be a politician.

5. I’ll probably always vote for the same party unless they (change) in a big

way.

II. Vocabulary

3. Complete the text with the words in the box. (8 points)

Many Hollywood stars have been (1) in political action of one kind or

another. Some, like Ronald Reagan, (2) their sights on, and get, the top

job. Others, like Clint Eastwood, are happy to (3) for office in smaller jobs –

Eastwood was mayor of Carmel in California for two years before deciding to (4)

aside, even though 72% of the electorate had (5) for

him. Still others, like Danny De Vito or Robert De Niro, give tens of thousands of dollars

to help their political friends (6) elections. The Democrats are generally

better (7) in Hollywood than the Republicans, but there are many, like

Bruce Willis or Mel Gibson, who are (8) to the Republican cause.

4. Choose the best description a or b, for each slogan 1-5. (5 points)

1. (a) anti-sexist (b) sexist

2. (a) elitist (b) idealist

3. (a) racist (b) socialist

4. (a) optimist (b) pacifist

5. (a) ageist (b) realist

committed fight involved represented

run set step voted

5. Read the text and match the words in bold to the definitions a-j. (10 points)

a) a connected series of events leading up to an election

b) a person competing in an election

c) a politician who has been elected to parliament

d) geographical areas that elect a representative to parliament

e) the number of voters in an election

f) the pieces of paper where the voters show their choice

g) the places where people go to vote

h) the process by which the national UK government is elected

i) a moderated discussion between two or more candidates

j) a candidate who is not a registered member of a political party

General elections usually take place every four years in Britain. The country is divided into about

650 local constituencies and each district elects one Member of Parliament (MP). Anyone can

stand for election as an independent but voters choose only one candidate and most of the seats

in parliament are won by the main political parties.

In the United States, presidential candidates go on campaign months or even years before the

elections take place. During that time they often participate in debates where controversial issues

are discussed in an attempt to attract more voters.

Voting is not compulsory and the turnout is sometimes very low, especially in places that are

considered to be safe seats for one of the big parties. The polling stations close at the end of the

day, and the results are announced when the ballot papers have been counted.

III. Reading

6. Read the four newspaper extracts and choose the most appropriate

headlines, 1 or 2. (20 points, 5 points each)

Martin Bell, the independent anti-corruption MP

who overturned a government majority of 15.000 to

win the Tatton seat in the last general election has

been cleared of irregular election expenses. Former

BBC journalist, Bell, has been accused of receiving

payments for legal expenses during the election

campaign, but the inquiry found no evidence of

wrongdoing. Neil Hamilton, the former MP who lost

his seat after being accused of corruption, has also

been accused of failing to declare all his election

expenses. Hamilton, whose political career is now in

ruins, continues to fight to clear his name, but the

evidence against him looks overwhelming.

There were scenes of both jubilation and despair outside

London’s High Court yesterday. After five years of fighting

to clear his name in the “Cash-for-Questions” scandal,

disgraced former MP, Neil Hamilton, insisted he would

appeal against the judge’s decision, but he now faces huge

legal fees and other costs that he may not be able to meet.

The jury in the packed courtroom announced that they

had found Mr. Hamilton guilty of accepting payment form

Mr. Mohamed Al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods. Outside

the court, a smiling Mr. Al-Fayed told the crowd that

people like Neil Hamilton should never be in power.

Hamilton lost first his ministerial position and then his seat

in Parliament after allegations surfaced in the press

concerning money he had received from the Egyptian

businessman. On a recent appearance on a satirical TV

show, Hamilton received his appearance fee in cash in a

brown paper bag at the end of the show. Hamilton will

now need more than that to rebuild his life.

As expected, anti-corruption candidate, Martin

Bell, swept past the disgraced Neil Hamilton in

the Tatton constituency. Hamilton, holding a

majority of 15,000 voters from the last election,

lost his seat to the victorious Bell by a huge

margin of 11,000 votes.

Two MPs from Britain’s ruling party have accepted

money from a businessman in exchange for asking

questions on the businessman’s behalf in the British

parliament, according to reports in the British press.

The two MP’s and government ministers, Mr. Neil

Hamilton and Mr. Tim Smith, received cash in brown

envelopes as payment for helping Mr. Mohamed Al-

Fayed, a London-based businessman and owner of the

world-famous Harrods superstore. It is understood that

Mr. Smith has already admitted his guilt and will

announce his resignations shortly. But with an election

approaching, the other man, Mr. Neil Hamilton, has

denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to fight for his

seat. However, the British government looks set to lose

the poll and Mr. Hamilton’s involvement in the scandal

is not helping their cause

7. Read the extracts again and put them in the correct order in which they

were printed, so that they tell the whole story. (20 points; 5 each)

1.

2.

3.

4.

IV. Writing

Choose ONE of the questions below and give your opinion on the topic. Write

100-150 words. (28 points)

1. Are women better politicians than men?

2. Should all political leaders know how to speak a foreign language?

CATEGORY 4 Excellent 3 Very Good 2 Approaching standards 1 Bellow standards

Topic Sentence (Author’s opinion/position statement)

The position statement provides a clear, strong statement of the author’s position on the topic.

The position statement provides a clear statement of the author’s position on the topic.

A position statement is present, but does not make the author's position clear.

There is no position statement.

Attention Grabber (Introduction)

The introductory paragraph has a strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the audience. This could be a strong statement, a relevant quotation or a question addressed to the reader.

The introductory paragraph has a hook or attention grabber, but it is weak, rambling or inappropriate for the audience.

The author has an interesting introductory paragraph but there is no hook and the connection to the topic is not clear.

The introductory paragraph does not include a hook AND is not relevant to the topic.

Sequencing Paragraphs

Arguments and support are provided in a logical order that makes it easy and interesting to follow the author's train of thought. Reasons are developed in separate paragraphs.

Arguments and support are provided in a fairly logical order that makes it reasonably easy to follow the author's train of thought. Two reasons are developed in one paragraph.

A few of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem a little confusing. More than two reasons are developed in the same paragraph.

Many of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem very confusing. There is only one paragraph in the essay.

Reasons and Support (Paragraphs)

Includes three or more excellent reasons which are stated with good support. It is evident that a lot of thought and research was put into this assignment. Gives evidence such as facts, statistics, examples, or real-life experiences that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader's arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument.

Includes three or more reasons but the support is weak in places. No counter-argument is provided.

Two reasons are provided but with weak arguments. Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.

Less than two reasons are made. Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences). Arguments are weak or missing.

Grammar & Spelling

Author makes few errors (1-2) in grammar or spelling that do not distract the reader from the content.

Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes 5-6 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes more than 6 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Transitions (Linking words and expressions)

A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected.

Transitions show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.

Some transitions work well, but some connections between ideas are unclear.

The transitions between ideas are unclear OR nonexistent.

Closing paragraph

The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer's position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing paragraph.

The conclusion is recognizable. The author's position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph.

The author's position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning.

There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.

Rubric: Opinion essay

Student Name: ________________________________________

rubric adapted from rubistar.4teachers.org

References

Koltai, Anastasia. "12 political terms every English language learner should know." My English Teacher. 19

Oct. 2012. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://goo.gl/gzz2sG>.

Kerr, Philip, and Ceri Jones. Straightforward Workbook with key. Thailand: Macmillan, 2007. 56-65. Print.

Kerr, Philip, and Ceri Jones. Straightforward Student's Book. Thailand: Macmillan, 2007. 56-65. Print.

"Persuasion Rubric." ReadWriteThink. International Reading Association, 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

<http://goo.gl/hic4zD>.

"Opinion Essay rubric." Rcampus. iRubric, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://goo.gl/3ZP933>.