Showing posts with label Test Familiarization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Test Familiarization. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

1st Grade Wida Familiarization Lesson Plan

(TESOL Materials--Test Familiarization)

Google: docs, pub

Overall Link


Listening:

  • Teacher Demo Part A (Estimated time: 2 minutes just to do the test, probably 5 minutes with explanations)

  • Students do Part B and Part C


Reading

  • Teacher Demo Part A (estimated time: 2 minutes–show highlighter, magnifying)

  • Students do Part B and Part C


Speaking

  • Teacher Demo Part A

  • Students do Part B and Part C

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Silly Strategies for Reading Test

(TESOL Worksheets--Test Familiarization, IELTS Reading)

Google Document: docs, pub

[Notes: This is based on the Silly Tips activity that I had previously posted in this post here.  I recently used this activity to familiarize my students for an upcoming reading exam that included these question types.  But as these question types also occur on the IELTS reading test, this activity can also be used for IELTS preparation.]

Matching Headings to the Text

Please cross out the useless tips and think about which useful tips you would use. When and HOW could you use them?


Don’t look at the headings before you read the text.​


Sit next to someone you can copy.


Read the first one or two sentences and the last sentence of each section to understand the general meaning of the section. Don’t worry about highlighting keywords. ​


Bring some of your grandma’s baked goods to bribe the examiner.


Don’t worry about understanding every word.​


Match any headings that are very obvious and you are sure about.


For headings you are not sure about:​

  • Identify the difference between each of the headings. Establish if there are any synonyms in the paragraph of keywords in the headings.​

  • If you still can’t pick one, move on. The answer will often reveal itself later.

  • Take a dice to the exam.  If you’re still not sure, roll the dice and write the numbers that you roll by each letter.


Remember these questions are about understanding the main idea of each section.


Sentence Gap-Fills

Please cross out the useless tips and think about which useful tips you would use. When and HOW could you use them?


Read the question sentences first. ​


Think about what the word form could be and try to predict the answer. ​


Think about the keywords and their synonyms. 


Locate the information by scanning quickly. If you can’t locate the answer quickly, move on.​


Try to write two answers for each gap-fill.  This will double your chances of getting it right.


If you can’t find the answer in the text, just write “something” in the blank.  Even if it’s not the right answer, the examiner won’t be able to mark it wrong because technically the answer is something.  If it does get marked wrong, you can argue with the examiner after the test.


Read the incomplete sentence again.​


According to the rules, the examiner has to give you hints about what letters to use.  You are allowed one consonant for free, but you have to buy the vowels.


Study the reading text more carefully to establish the answer.​


If you’re not sure about your answer, try to write it in sloppy handwriting so that it will be difficult to read.  If the examiner has trouble reading your answer, they will give up and just give you the point.


Check your spelling.

Multiple Choice

Please cross out the useless tips and think about which useful tips you would use. When and HOW could you use them?


Read the questions first (carefully).​


Skim the text to get the general meaning.​


Underline any keywords in the question and think about any synonyms that might appear in the text.​


Read the choices and underline any keywords. Think about the difference in meaning between the different choices.​


Predict the correct answer.


Remember that statistically, “C” is the most common answer on multiple choice questions. So if in any doubt, choose “C”.


Read the text. Use keywords and synonyms to locate the part containing the answers.​


Read that part of the text very carefully, thinking about the difference in meanings.​


Think about which options are correct and why the other options are wrong.​


Remember these tips.  Choose “A” for any question that asks about alligators.  Choose “B” for any question that has the word “because” in it.  Choose “C” for any question that has a caterpillar in the answer.  And choose “D” everytime you hear someone cough.


Go back, read the question again, and mark your final choice.


Sunday, August 25, 2024

Passive Voice with Modals Dictogloss: Test Rules

(TESOL Worksheets--Passive Voice with Modals)

Google: docs, pub

[Notes: This text follows the procedure for dictoglosses that I've outlined in a previous post.   It's actually based on the actual test rules at my school (and so has relevance for my students.)  If you're using this in a different school, you can adapt it to reflect the rules at your school.]

The test will be held in your regular classroom.  

The vocabulary should be studied before the test.

Student IDs need to be taken to the test.  The IDs must be placed on the top right hand corner of your desk.  The IDs will be checked during the test.  National IDs do not have to be taken to the test.

Phones must be turned off and put into your bags.

Water may be drunk during the test, but coffee may not be drunk.

If you feel cold, jackets can be worn during the test.




1. Where is the school holding the test?



2. What should you do with the vocabulary before the test?



3.  What do you need to do with your student ID?



4. Do you have to bring your national ID to the test?



5. What must you do with your phone during the test?



6. Are you allowed to drink water during the test?  What about coffee?



7. What can you do if you feel cold during the exam?



Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Cheating Quiz


Google: drive, docs, pub

            [This is NOT my own creation.  A co-worker of mine  created it a few years back.  But since he shared it with me 3 years ago, I’ve been using it regularly in my own classes.  So I’ve decided to post it on this blog for the purposes of indexing it and remembering it for future use.
            Obviously it is intended to be used before a test, and so is only applicable in language schools that have an end of term test.  My co-worker said he was trying to find some way to be able to review the test rules with the students while still keeping the tone light and fun.
            When I use this with my own classes, I do my best to play it straight as much as possible.  I explain the worksheet before I hand it out, pretending to be very serious as I explain the rules just like this was any ordinary worksheet and tell the students that there are ten words in the box, and that they must match each word to the blanks in the sentences.  After I’ve handed the worksheet out to the students, and they try to tell me that all the words are the same, I play dumb and just repeat the instructions about matching the words to the sentences.  Then at the end I try to keep a straight face as I tell them to check their answers with a partner before we review them as a class.]


Pre-test quiz

Fill in the blanks with words from the box


 


cheating
cheating
cheating
cheating
cheating
cheating
cheating
cheating
cheating
cheating




1.      Looking at another student’s test is _______________.
2.      It is considered _______________ if I lift my paper so other students can see it.
3.      Talking during the test or reading out loud is _______________.
4.      One example of _______________ is writing on the desk or wall.
5.      It is considered _______________ if I memorize an essay before the exam.
6.      It is _______________ to give or receive test answers to a student in another class.
7.      If I leave the room during the test, that is _______________.
8.      If I need extra paper the teacher will give it to me. It is _______________ to use my own paper.
9.      I must turn off my mobile phone. It is _______________ if my teacher sees or hears it during the exam.
10.  If I am caught _______________ I will receive a zero score for that test.