Paper 2 Task 1 (20 mins)

The text for this task is reproduced on the opposite page. It is being used in the following situation.

Selin has just taken the Turkish university entry exam and has been placed at a state
university, at the department of Psychology. It is an English medium university and she has
to take the English Placement test in order to understand if she needs to study English at
the English Preparatory school. If so, what level should she study? She studied English at
the high school and her overall english level is Upper-intermediate (CEFR B2). If her score
from this placement test shows that her English level is sufficient for her department, then
she doesn’t need to study English at the preparatory school.

Using your knowledge of relevant testing concepts, evaluate the effectiveness of these tasks for
this learner situation.

Make a total of six points. You must include both positive and negative points.
PROFICIENCY/USE OF ENGLISH (SAMPLE)
Name & Surname:
Class:

PART I: USE OF ENGLISH

 In this section you must choose the word or phrase which best completes each sentence.
 For questions below, mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet.

HERITAGE UP IN SMOKE

Namdaemun is a historic wood and stone gate in downtown Seoul, South Korea. It
used to (1) _____ the city against attackers, but isn't used now. Namdaemun is the
number one national (2) _____ of South Korea. The gate, which is formally known as
Sungnyemun, was built in 1398, and was the oldest wooden (3) _____ in Seoul until a
fire (4) _____ the wooden portion in February, 2008, leaving only the stone. The
police arrested Chae Jong-gi, who quickly admitted starting the fire. He told the police
that he was angry at the government because they owed him money. The fire (5)
_____ the country, and soon after, the government promised to (6) _____ the gate,
which they said would (7) _____ $ 20,000,000 over two years.

1. a) postpone b) protect c) possess d) promise

2. a) capital b) trend c) belongings d) treasure
3. a) structure b) style c) type d) building
4. a) afforded b) blew c) steamed d) destroyed
5. a) blocked b) shocked c) bored d) cheered
6. a) recycle b) repeat c) rebuild d) retry
7. a) charge b) gain c) cost d) lose

PART II: USE_OF ENGLISH

 In this section you must choose the answer which best completes the text.
 For questions 1 to 10, mark one letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet.

SPORTS

Hockey mega-star Sydney Crosby (1) ____ in a press conference yesterday that he is leaving
hockey for this season, and perhaps longer. This announcement (2) ____ for a long time, as the
young prodigy has had trouble with brain injuries. In two consecutive games in January, Crosby (3)
____ hard on the head, and began suffering symptoms of concussion – a type of brain injury. His
concussion symptoms lasted longer than normal, which means that another hit to the head (4)
____ permanent disability, or even death. So, his doctors recommended (5) ____ a break from
hockey to give his brain a chance to recover. Brain injuries are not well understood, so perhaps
Crosby (6) ____ be able to return to the game he loves. Hockey could lose one of its greatest
players ever. Now, hockey has to decide how to prevent this from (7) ____ again. If hits to the head
(8) ____ illegal, then far fewer concussions would happen. But speed and hitting are popular with
the fans, and nobody wants (9) ____. How many more superstars (10) ____ their careers cut short
before the fans decide it’s not fun anymore?

1. a) has announced b) announced c) had announced d) announces

2. a) is expected b) expected c) has expected d) has been expected
3. a) was being hit b) had hit c) hit d) was hit
4. a) can be causing b) could be caused c) could cause d) could be causing
5. a) taking b) him to take c) he has taken d) to take
6. a) can never b) may never c) would never d) could ever
7. a) happening b) happen c) to happen d) happens
8. a) are b) were c) have been d) had been
9. a) to slow it down b) slowing down c) slow down d) slowing it down
10. a) can have b) have c) are going to have d) had
PP1. Language: It is a language systems test. It covers tenses, passive voice, etc.
PA1. Learner’s needs/ Relevance: The learner need to know these in her future education.
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PP2: Rubric: Clear and simple instructions. High reliability.
PA2: Motivation: The student will know exactly what she needs to do and it will be easy to complete
the test.
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PP3: Face Validity: The exam looks relevant and formal. It tests what it supposed to test.
PA3: Confidence: It will give confidence to the student about the face validity of the test because it
looks professional.
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PP4: Fresh Start: There are two fresh starts.
PA4: The student will feel more relaxed because there is another section that she can work on.
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PP5: Level: the test is appropriate for the learner’s level.
PA5: Level: The test is achievable and sufficiently challenging for S.
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NP1. May not test range of language sufficient for placement at all levels.
NA1. N may be misplaced because she hasn’t been allowed to demonstrate enough