Michigan Testing Information

(for Non-Native Speakers of English)

The Michigan has Five Parts:

1. A WRITING SAMPLE: You will write one or more paragraphs about a topic
selected by the College. (20 minutes)
1. A LISTENING TEST: You will hear questions on a tape. Find the answers in the
test booklet and mark the answer (A), (B), (C), or (D) on the answer sheet. (15
minutes)
2. A GRAMMAR TEST: You will read incomplete sentences and choose the best
word or phrase to fill in the blank, and complete the sentence with proper
grammar. You will mark the answer (A), (B), (C), or (D) on the answer sheet. (25
minutes)
3. A VOCABULARY TEST: You will read sentences and choose the correct word
to fill in the blank space or choose the best definition for a word. You will mark
the answer (A), (B), (C), or (D) on the answer sheet. (25 minutes)
4. A READING COMPREHENSION TEST: You will read paragraphs and answer
questions which relate to what you have read. You will mark the answer (A), (B),
(C) or (D) on the answer sheet. (25 minutes)

SAMPLE QUESTIONS
The sample questions shown below cover all of the areas of the Michigan test except the
Writing sample. The Writing sample is a 20-minute writing test which is given to
determine the student's writing level. The questions shown are only a small sample of the
total test questions which will be on the exam. These questions are to prepare you for the
test, and give you a better understanding of how the Michigan works.

LISTENING
Directions: In this part of the test you will hear 45 statements and questions. Each one
will be spoken just one time and will not be written out for you. After you hear a
statement or question, read the four sentences which are printed in the test book and
decide which one is closest in meaning to what you have heard. Find the number of the
problem on your answer sheet, and choose either (A), (B), (C), or (D)-whichever goes
with the answer you have chosen.

Get Ready! – Test Preparation 1

Example 1: You will hear: "George has just returned home from his vacation."
You will read:
(A) George is spending his vacation at home.
(B) George has just finished his vacation.
(C) George is just about to begin his vacation.
(D) George has decided not to take a vacation.

Example 2: You will hear: "When are you going to New York?"
You will read:
(A) To visit my brother.
(B) By plane.
(C) Next Friday.
(D) Yes, I am.

GRAMMAR
Directions: This section of the test is designed to measure your knowledge of proper
grammar usage in English conversation. Altogether there are 40 problems in this section
of the test, and you will be given 25 minutes to do them. Each problem is an incomplete
statement in which a word or phrase is omitted. Four answer choices marked (A), (B),
(C), or (D) are given beneath the statement. You are to choose the best answer for the
statement.
Example 1: "When did it begin raining?"
"It started_______the night."
(A) during
(B) by
(C) from
(D) at

Get Ready! – Test Preparation 2

Example 2: "What is that thing?"
"That _______ a spider."
(A) to call
(B) for calling
(C) be called
(D) is called

VOCABULARY
Directions: This section of the test is designed to measure your knowledge of the
meanings of some English words. Altogether there are 40 problems in this section, and
you will be given 25 minutes to do them. Each problem consists of a sentence in which
one word is omitted. Four words marked (A), (B), (C), or (D) are given beneath the
sentence. You are to choose the one word which best completes the sentence.
Example 1: A__________is used to cut with.
(A) knife
(B) lamp
(C) horn
(D) pen

Example 2: Because of the storm and rough waves, it would be foolish to go out
sailing today in a small__________.
(A) automobile
(B) house
(C) boat
(D) beast

Get Ready! – Test Preparation 3

READING COMPREHENSION
Directions: This section of the test is designed to measure how well you comprehend the
information found in passages that you read. There will be 20 passages to be read, and
you will have 25 minutes to do them. After you read each passage, read the question
which is being asked. Look at the four answers which are printed in the test book and
choose either (A), (B), (C) or (D) - whichever goes with the answer you have chosen.
Example: Learning to ski can be a lot of fun for the whole family. On the first trip out to
the mountains, it's very important to dress warm for the cold weather. With the
temperature sometimes dropping to areas below freezing, not dressing warmly can result
in a miserable day of skiing. When you do decide to go to a ski slope, there are several
rules you need to follow to ensure your safety and the safety of others around you. If you
follow the rules of the slope, dress appropriately for the weather, and keep a positive
attitude, your skiing experience will be a great one.
According to the author, what should you be concerned about when skiing?
(A) small children going too fast
(B) wearing brightly colored clothes for visibility
(C) never go skiing in cold weather
(D) making sure you dress for the weather

Get Ready! – Test Preparation 4