This document discusses different methods for testing literature and provides examples of each. It begins by outlining reasons to test literature such as eliciting responses, developing literary competence, and exposing students to new intellectual concepts. Several tips for developing literature tests are then provided, such as using authentic texts, providing linguistic support, focusing on applying skills over memorization, and writing items at the student level. Common test formats for literature are described, including multiple choice, true/false, gap filling, essays, and oral exams. Advantages and disadvantages of each format are highlighted. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of testing literature in an authentic way that aligns with classroom activities.

1. TESTING LITERATURE
By Mr. Kurt S. Candilas
MAE-ENG

2. Why should we test literature?
• to elicit a specific response
• to develop literary competence
• to bring a literary piece of art to students
intellectual and emotional baggage
• to develop decision-making and meaningmaking

3. Tips on Literature Testing
1. Aim for balanced test. The test can include
knowledge and skills items; guided,
controlled and free response items; and
productive and receptive response type
items.
2. Use actual, authentic texts. The items require
contact with actual texts. This will eliminate
dependence on prepared or memorized
notes.

4. 3. Provide linguistic support when necessary.
Vocabulary and/or structure (grammar) helps
eliminate can help eliminate linguistics
difficulties that hinder the application of
literary skills.
4. Test items should require the application of
skills and principles.
5. Test items should encourage the transfer of
skills from familiar texts to unfamiliar ones.
6. Write the test items to meet student level,
not tutor expectations.

5. 7. The test items should give abstract concepts a
practical and concrete focus.
8. Devise questions that would encourage the
test-takers to identify with and personalize the
texts they meet.
9. Translate into test situations those activities
found to be motivating in the classroom.

6. What are the common forms in
testing literature?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Multiple choice
True or False
Gap-Filling
Essay test
Knowledge Question
Oral test

7. Multiple Choice
Example:
Dappled things in line 1 refer to all things that God
a. ignored
b. created
c. forgot
 Difficult to design but easy to mark
 Exclusively examines knowledge
 Knowledge is limited to options provided
 Encourages guessing (25% chance)
 More than one option may be possible

8. True or False
Example
Noam Chomsky is known as the father of
generative grammar.
Does not demonstrate broader knowledge
Difficult to construct in higher levels
Encourages guessing due to 50/50 chance
Difficult to test attitudes toward learning

9. Gap Filling
Example
William Shakespeare was an English ____________.
 They must have a broader context
 More than one option may be possible (unless
tester provides limited options or first letter)
 Tests can focus on content words
 Production is tested unless options are provided
 Focus should be on the aspect assessed

10. Essay Test
Example
Check out the language meaning of the song and
explain its denotation and connotation in
semantics.
 frequently essay questions in literature course are
based on subject matter discussed in class.
 requires the students to organize their thoughts
and substantiate their interpretations.
 a highly valid test form

11. Knowledge Question: Reading
Example
Identify the following characters and briefly
describe their roles.
 encourages reading of the texts
 they are authentic and communicative
 a highly valid test form

12. Oral Test
Positive Points
 favor the students who express themselves
fluently in the target language
 permit a broader sampling of the subject matter
 confront with more direct questions
Negative Points
 difficult too score with complete reliability
 Teacher and student rapport may tend to
influence the best grade

13. THE END
#teachingandtestinglanguageliteratureandreading
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