English Comprehension Through Objective Tests [antikvár]

INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO THE PUPILMany examining boards are now using the multiple choice (or objec-tive test) form in their G.C.E. English Language papers, particularly in examining English Comprehension. This new form of question paper presents you not only with the question but alsó with a number of possible answers of which only one is undeniably correct, whereas 5 the old type of paper allowed you to submit answers which were nearly right or only partly wrong.The advantage of the new form of examination paper from your point of view is that you have to do hardly any writing and can there-fore spend a great deal more time thinking. Considerable thought is 10 needed for most of the questions. It may be that all the choices offered appear plausible, or partially right, but only one is completely correct. In this type of test there can be no waffling round a question, no concealing uncertainty about the right answer in a number of vague statements. Guessing may score a few lucky marks, but enough 15 marks to pass can be gained only if you know which of the answers are the right ones, and why they are right.Although the form of the examination may be differentj its purpose remains the sameto test your ability to understand what you read and to appreciate how a writer uses language to convey his ideas. 20 Most of the questions will be concerned with interpretation, but a few in each test will deal with technicalities such as punctuation, voca-bulary, figurative language, etc.The best advice we can offer you is this: read the question paper! Don't just look at it! Read it! You have time to study the 25 passage slowly and carefully before turning to the questions. When you do start answering, make sure that you have really understood the question. Do not choose one which looks as if it might do unless you are sure that there is not another possibility which would do even better. Not all the questions are framed in the same way; be ready 30 to deal, for example, with those which ask you to find an exception, or to recognize a falsé statement.If you keep your wits about you, and do not fali into the error of supposing that this type of paper is a soft option where your thinking is done for you, you will find Objective Tests an entertaining 35 and stimulating way of increasing your awareness of the subtleties of which our language is capable and your perceptiveness of all thatv