Group 10
II. What is a good test instruction?

Brief and simple
Ss couldn’t have to spend a lot of time reading them
Clear
Anxiety can come from poorly worded question and resentment from misunderstood directions.
Not too long at length ( no more than two lines).
Imperative

(Harolds. Madsen. “techniques in testing”. Teaching techniques in ESL.)

III. Some guidelines for writing test instructions



1. Make instructions short. But full of idea
Eg:
Read each sentence carefully. Then look at the for words below it. Choose the one that completes the sentence correctly. Put the letter of that word (A,B,C or D) in the blank at the left.
1. Lan often …………. every morning.
A drinking B to drink C drink D drinks
2. After I………lunch, I looked for my bag
A have B had had C had have D had
Choose A, B, C, D that best completes each unfinished sentences.
Read these sentences. Some say strange things like “ he drank his bicycle” ( we ride a bicycle, we don’t drink it). Some are false like “ rain falls up” (It falls down, not up). For these sentences, circle “F” (“F” means “false”). For the other, (good) sentences, circle “T” (“T” means “true”).
 Read these sentences. Decide which is true (T), which is false (F).

2. Should not give instructions orally
3. For Ss at the beginning level, give both oral and written instructions

4. Instructions should be written in target language


Eg:
Pick out the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the others.
1. A. payment B. install C. complaint D. station
2. A. improve B. is C. entertain D. experience
3. A. mind B. wild C. gifted D. blind
5. Classes with very little in English, Ts can give instructions in native language

Eg:
Viết lại câu sau, bắt đầu bằng từ cho sẵn:
1. They will hold an important festival in Hue next month.
An important………………………………………….
2. I’d like you to help me to put the chairs away.
 Would you mind…………………………………….


6. Give example to make clearer, especially for Ss of low level
 Example should be highlighted
Eg:
Group each sentence with write form of the words in blanket:
(0). He cycled carelessly and had an accident (CARE)
(1). During his______ the family live in london.(CHILD)
(2). He was very _______ of the work he had done.(PRIDE)



7. Avoid using confusing words and grammar points
Eg:



Look at the entries for the words in bold in these sentences and write down the short cut under which you would find the appropriate meaning.
What is the scale of this map?_______
He’s a mean cook – I’ve never tasted such delicious pasta.________
( Oxford advanced learner)
8. Highlight key words
Eg:
Complete the sentences below. Use no MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each blank pace.
Once the text is finished, the writer needs to get the_________ of other people.
Some agents may reject the draft of a book, while others may offer_______.

9. Avoid using negative or trick instructions
Eg:
Choose one NOT correct word/phrase of these following sentences.
Or: Identifying the underlined part which must be corrected to be grammatically right
To building their nests, some birds use their bills as needles.
A B C D
2. Fertilize farmland is one of the biggest natural resources in
A B C D
the central states.

References:
www.uoregon.edu
www.nzqa.govt.n2/framework/about/hcea
Harolds. Madsen. “techniques in testing”.
Teaching techniques in ESL.
Oxford advanced learner
Thanks for your attention!!!