Language Assessment and Test Formats Flashcards
7 cards from real Language Proficiency practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Language Assessment and Test Formats flashcards as text
Which type of language test requires candidates to perform real-world tasks such as giving a presentation or writing a business email?
Answer: Performance-based assessment
Performance-based assessments evaluate language use through authentic tasks that simulate real-world communication.
What does a 'criterion-referenced' language test measure a candidate against?
Answer: A fixed set of predefined standards or competencies
Criterion-referenced tests measure whether a test-taker has met specific pre-established standards, not how they compare to others.
In language testing, what is 'washback' (also called 'backwash')?
Answer: The influence a test has on teaching and learning practices
Washback refers to the effect that a test's format and content has on how teachers teach and students study.
Which format is most commonly used to assess listening comprehension in a standardized language test?
Answer: Multiple-choice questions based on audio passages
Multiple-choice questions tied to recorded audio passages are the standard format for testing listening comprehension at scale.
A test that groups candidates into levels (e.g., A1–C2) based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is an example of what?
Answer: A placement test using a proficiency scale
Placing candidates into CEFR levels is a proficiency-based approach, commonly used in placement or certification tests.
What is the primary purpose of a 'diagnostic' language test?
Answer: To identify specific strengths and weaknesses in language skills
Diagnostic tests are designed to pinpoint particular areas where a learner needs improvement rather than to assign a final grade.
Which of the following best describes 'integrated tasks' in language assessment?
Answer: Tasks that combine multiple language skills, such as reading then writing
Integrated tasks require test-takers to use two or more language skills together, such as reading a passage and then writing a summary.