CILISAT - Community Interpreter Language and Interpreting Skills Assessment Tools Consecutive Interpreting Skills Questions and Answers

Question 1

During a consecutive interpreting session for a medical appointment, the patient speaks for several minutes without pausing, providing a complex medical history.
What is the most effective initial strategy for the interpreter?

Accepted Answer

Politely interject and remind the patient to pause more frequently to allow for interpretation.

Answer

Interpret the parts of the message you can remember accurately and omit the rest.

Answer

Interrupt the patient and ask them to start over from the beginning, speaking in shorter segments.

Answer

Use your note-taking system to capture the key points and then render the interpretation.

Question 2

Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a note-taking system in consecutive interpreting?

Accepted Answer

To aid memory by capturing key concepts, structure, and details like numbers or names.

Answer

To create a verbatim transcript of the speaker's words.

Answer

To replace the need for short-term memory during interpretation.

Answer

To demonstrate professionalism to the clients.

Question 3

An interpreter is in a legal consultation where the lawyer uses a complex legal term. The interpreter is unsure of the precise equivalent in the target language. What is the most responsible course of action?

Accepted Answer

Ask the lawyer to clarify the meaning of the term before interpreting it.

Answer

Guess the meaning of the term based on the context to maintain the flow.

Answer

Use a more general, non-specific term in the target language.

Answer

Ignore the term and interpret the rest of the sentence.

Question 4

The skill of 'chunking' in consecutive interpreting refers to the practice of:

Accepted Answer

Grouping information into smaller, manageable units to improve recall.

Answer

Speaking in a loud, clear voice to be heard by everyone.

Answer

Using a notepad with pre-divided sections for different speakers.

Answer

Translating sentence by sentence, regardless of the speaker's pauses.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios is MOST suitable for the use of consecutive interpreting?

Accepted Answer

A one-on-one parent-teacher conference at a school.

Answer

A large, multilingual international conference with keynote speakers.

Answer

A live television broadcast with an international guest.

Answer

A fast-paced auction with bidders calling out numbers quickly.

Question 6

What is a key difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpreting?

Accepted Answer

In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter speaks after the speaker has paused, while in simultaneous interpreting, they speak at the same time.

Answer

Consecutive interpreting requires specialized electronic equipment, while simultaneous does not.

Answer

Simultaneous interpreting is used for written documents, while consecutive is for spoken dialogue.

Answer

Consecutive interpreting is only used in legal settings.