Constructing 'broken sentence' items
Strength (s)
A useful device for testing grammar and the ability to write full sentences from a series of words


Weakness(es)
Students may have difficulty in understanding what to do (what changes are necessary to form)


Measures to be taken to overcome the(se) weakness(es)
Clear instructions and examples could be set

Is the government going to contribute the new industry?"

Heaton (2003) states that the error in the sentence given above can be caused either by verb patterning or by wrong word choice. Would the reason of the error have an effect on inclusion of this error in a vocabulary test or not?
Yes, if it is a verb pattrning error, it should not be included in a vocabulary test

If the selction of lexical items is based on well-known word lists, the test writer should keep the following facts about word lists in mind

based on written language
difficulty levels of the words are not considered
interference / overlap of vernacular and the target language is not considered


What should a vocabulary test aim at?

A vocabulary test should aim at testing vocabulary repertoire of the students and which of these words can be used by students

Multiple-choice items (A)

Full Context


Advantage
Shades of meaning can be tested

DISADVANTAGE
distractors cannot be found easily


Examine the questions below and find the violated principles. One of the questions doesn’t include any violations.

The school principle ........................... insisted that all students hand in their mobile phones to teachers during school hours.

a. firmly
b. humbly
c. joyously
d. happily

pair of synonyms used as distractors




Mary tells some quite ........................... stories sometimes. I never know when to believe her.

a. indigenious
b. invigorating
c. exhilarating
d. strange

distractors are more difficult than the correct option.




Mrs. Allen made her ........................... to the nuclear power station quite clear at the meeting.

a. objection
b. invigorating
c. exhilarating
d. strange

option c is from a different word class




devastating

a. ruinous
b. irreparable
c. unexpected
d. predictable

a pair of antonyms used as distractors.




awe-inspiring

a. astounding
b. clear
c. explicit
d. simple

distractors are easier than the correct option




disconcerrting

a. frightening
b. confusing
c. making one feel worried, upset or uncertain
d. shocking

the length of correct option




Tim always ..................... on his wife for advice on clothes.

a. supports
b. needs
c. trusts
d. depends

options a, b, c would be grammatically incorrect when put in the context




It has rained continuously for two whole days.

a. without stopping
b. heavily
c. regularly
d. at odd moments

thanks for sharing dangerous
welcome again