1. Criteria of a Good English Test
A good test is not just a set of questions; it is a systematic tool to measure learners’ language proficiency. The following criteria ensure quality:
- Validity
• The test must measure what it intends to measure.
• Example: A reading comprehension test should assess understanding of ideas, not spelling.
Class 8 “The Mysterious Picture”: Questions should check comprehension of Tyl’s wit, not just recall of names.
• Reliability
• Results should be consistent across different administrations and evaluators.
• Example: If two teachers score the same essay, results should be similar.
Class 9 “The Little Round Red House”: A rubric-based essay on imagination ensures reliability.
• Practicality
• The test should be feasible in terms of time, resources, and scoring.
• Example: MCQs for vocabulary are practical in large classrooms.
• Oral interviews may be less practical unless class size is small.
• Discrimination
• The test should distinguish between high and low achievers.
• Example: A HOT question like “Evaluate the king’s decision in ‘The Mysterious Picture’” separates critical thinkers from rote learners.
• Authenticity
• Tasks should reflect real-life language use.
• Example: Writing a letter to the editor (Class 9) is authentic compared to filling blanks.
2. Question Forms – LOT & HOT
Lower Order Thinking (LOT)
- Focus: Recall, recognition, comprehension.
- Skills: Vocabulary, grammar, factual recall.
- Examples:
- Class 8 “The Mysterious Picture”: “Who was Tyl? What did he carry?”
- Class 9 “The Little Round Red House”: “What did the boy find inside the house?”
- Grammar LOT: “Identify the adjectives in the passage.”
Higher Order Thinking (HOT)
- Focus: Application, analysis, evaluation, creativity.
- Skills: Critical thinking, synthesis, problem-solving.
- Examples:
- Class 8 “The Mysterious Picture”: “Do you think the king was justified in punishing Tyl? Why?”
- Class 9 “The Little Round Red House”: “What does the red house symbolize? How does it inspire imagination?”
- Writing HOT: “Draft a proposal for an eco-friendly campus initiative.”
Balance is essential: LOT ensures foundational knowledge, HOT promotes deeper learning.
3. Test Types for LSRW Skills
Skill
Test Type
LOT Example
HOT Example
Listening
Dictation, comprehension
Class 8: “List three things Tyl promised.”
Class 9: “Evaluate the speaker’s tone in the boy’s adventure.”
Speaking
Oral drills, role-play
Class 8: “Describe Tyl in two sentences.”
Class 9: “Debate: Is imagination more powerful than knowledge?”
Reading
MCQs, cloze tests
Class 8: “Underline the verbs in the passage.”
Class 9: “Critically analyze the writer’s stance on creativity.”
Writing
Paragraphs, essays
Class 8: “Write a short note on Tyl’s cleverness.”
Class 9: “Compose an essay on the importance of imagination in learning.”
4. Integrated Sample Test
Listening
-
- Teacher reads a passage from “The Mysterious Picture”.
- LOT: “What did Tyl promise the king?”
- HOT: “How does Tyl’s wit challenge authority?”
Speaking
- Role-play from “The Little Round Red House”.
- LOT: “Introduce the boy and his task.”
- HOT: “Debate: Is imagination more powerful than knowledge?”
Reading
- Passage from “The Boy Who Drew Cats”.
- LOT: “Identify the verbs in the passage.”
- HOT: “Evaluate the boy’s decision to leave home—was it wise?”
Writing
- Inspired by “The Little Round Red House”.
- LOT: “Write a paragraph describing the house.”
- HOT: “Write a creative story where a child discovers a magical place that changes their life.”
- Criteria ensure test quality.
- LOT/HOT balance ensures both factual and critical learning.
- LSRW test types ensure holistic language development.
- SCERT examples make the notes contextual, authentic, and classroom-ready.
- Integrated test shows how all four skills can be assessed together.
