Testing literature

Module IX in language and literature assessment

1. Module IX Testing literature

2. Learning objectives At the end of the Module, students should be able to: Identify the different types of literature testing Prepare sample tests in literature using different types and format Recognize the value of literature tests to language learning.

3. A. Rationale of Literature Testing Literature is a humanities subject, but it is part of most language programs of schools. Stern (1887) in her article, “Expanded Dimensions in literature in ESL/EF: An Integrated Approach,” stress the great influence of literature to language learning.

4. B. Types of Literature Tests In general, literature tests may be classified as testing literary background or testing reading selections. Tests on reading selections may be categorized according to the type of questions asked in a literature class.

5. According to the taxonomy of cognitive questions, questions are classified according to its complexity: Literal comprehension Reorganization Inferential comprehension Evaluation Appreciation

6. C. Format of Literature Tests Format of literature tests addresses specific language skills. It may be oral or written. Oral literature tests challenge the speaking and listening skills of the students. Written tests demands skills in reading and writing.

7. D. Examples of Literature Tests Testing L iteral Comprehension - A kind of tests include recall of details, main ideas, sequence, comparisons, cause and effect relationship and character traits. Objective type Recall of details Identify the characters who said the following lines in the story. b . Essay type What are the contrasting characteristics of the protagonist and the antagonist as described by the author?

8. 2. Testing reorganization Reorganization skills entail classifying, outlining, summarizing, and synthesizing ideas. Objective type Classifying. Select the item that does not belong to the group b. Essay type Outlining. Construct a topic outline of the essay providing at least three main heads and a number of sub-heads.

9. 3. Testing Inference Inferential tests require students to use information explicitly stated in the text along with personal experience and knowledge in order to conjecture and to form hypothesis. Tests include: Inferring supporting details Main idea Sequence Comparisons Cause and effect relationship Character traits Authors organization Predicting outcomes Interpreting figurative language

10. Objective type Interpreting figurative language: Choose the best interpretations of the following figurative lines within the context of the poem. b. Essay type Predicting outcomes: What do you think is in store for lumnay as the symbols at the end of the story portend?

11. 4. Testing Evaluation Evaluation tests require the students to compare information and ideas in a text with material presented by the instructor. Tests include: judgments of reality and fantasy; fact or opinion; adequate and validity , appropriateness Worth Desirability Acceptability

12. Objective type Judgments of fact or opinion: Write O if the following statement expresses an opinion of a reader on the story, F if the statement is stated by the author in the story b. Essay type Judgments of reality and fantasy: Do the events in the story depict real-life situations or are they just product of the author’s imagination? Explain.

13. 5. Testing Appreciation Appreciation tests require students to articulate emotional and aesthetic responses to the text based on personal and professional standards of literacy forms, styles, genres, theories, critical approaches. Test include: Giving emotional response to the text Identifying with characters or incidents Reacting to author’s or speaker’s connotative and denotative use of language Reacting to imagery

14. a. Objective type Reacting to author’s connotative use of language: Select the best connotative meaning of the underlined word in each statement lifted from the story. b. Essay type Identifying with characters or incidents: Which character in the story can you identify most? What ar your similarities?

15. E. Evaluating Literature Tests Just like any tests, objective type of literature tests is easy to evaluate because there are ready answer keys to the questions. Essay type of tests is difficult to assess because the evaluation focuses on both content and form. For literal comprehension and inference tests, content should be assigned more weight than form. The more proficient in language the student is, the more chances he/she has of getting good ratings