4/2 2/24 quiz on assessments

• Process in Writing a Literature Test

  1. Identify the context

  2. Write the test

  3. Select texts

  4. Group skills

  5. Match texts to tasks

  6. Write test items

  7. Clarify marking criteria
• Criteria for Making an Effective Literature Test

  • What and who is the role model of literary competence
  • What kinds of skills or knowledge would be demonstrated by the target competence
  • How are these areas of skills or knowledge measured
  • What are the criteria for selecting the texts of the test
  • What is the relationship of the skill being tested to what the test measures
• What is a Good Literature Test


  • Measures what it aims to measure
  • Covers a balanced and appropriate sample area that has been taught and not random areas or texts that leave the success of an examinee's performance to chance
  • Meets the expectations of the teacher and examiner
  • Ensures that learners are familiar with texts used
  • Provides a balance of question types, content, and skills areas so that a rounded profile of each examinee can be gleaned from the test
  • Sets tests and tasks which are feasible within the allotted time
• Lesson 7: Guidelines for Selecting Texts for the Literature Tests

  1. The text may either be seen or unseen

  2. The text may either be full-length or extracts

  3. The texts should exemplify examples of each genre

  4. The chosen texts should be representative of the chosen themes, topics, and issues

  5. The texts should match the cognitive level of the examinees

  6. The texts should be long enough to generate meaningful activity, but short enough to be practical for timed activity
• What does a Literature Test Measure

  • Literary Information
  • Literary Interpretation
• Sample Literature Test Items

  • Testing Knowledge of Literary Terms
  • Testing Skills in Literary Interpretation
• Examples of Skills and Tasks in a Literature Test

  • Appreciating information in openings; how an author sets the theme
  • Appreciating how a dialogue operates, what it reveals about the character
  • Recognizing tone in a text
  • Recognizing development and sequence of the plot
  • Recognizing the characteristics of the short story
  • Recognizing the role of setting in the story
  • Developing empathy with the situation and characters
  • Responding to the style of the author
• Types of Tests


  • Multiple Choice
  • Completion or gap filling
  • Matching Type
  • Question and Answer
  • True or False
  • Essay Type