Transcript Aptitude Tests - ELT General Supervision Kuwait
Ministry of Education ELT General Supervision ةيبرتلا ةرازو ةيزيلجنإلا ةغلل ماعلا ينفلا هيجوتلا يرابتخا زايتجاب ةصاخلا ةيبيردتلا ةرودلا لفوتلا TOEFL ةيميداكلأا تاردقلاو Training Course for TOEFL & Aptitude Test
ةيزيلجنلإا ةغلل ماعلا ينفلا هيجوتلا دادعإ نم Prepared by ELT General Supervision
Standardized Tests
A standardized test is an examination that attempts to determine and measure a person's ability to acquire, through future training, some specific set of skills (intellectual, motor, and so on). The tests assume that people differ in their special abilities and that these differences can be useful in predicting future achievements.
For example, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a test designed to predict how well you will perform in college. It is not designed to measure how well you did in high school, but how capable you are of learning all the new skills necessary to do well in college / university. ETS (Educational Testing Service) is responsible for many international standardized tests, such as TOEFL and others.
Center for Measurements & Teaching Development
Is the one responsible for designing and administering Aptitude Tests for admission in Kuwait University.
ENGLISH APTITUDE TEST STUDENT INFORMATION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS at Kuwait University
Admission/Placement Test Contents:
This General English Test consists of the following parts: (I) Grammar 35 Questions (II) Vocabulary 35 Questions (III) Reading comprehension 20 Questions Total Number of questions: 90 Items Time:60 minutes
Part I - Grammar:
Objective
:
To test student ’s knowledge of general, basic English grammar.
Grammatical items may include:
1. Articles 2. Subject-verb agreement + there is I there are 3. Use of negatives 4. Word order - questions, negatives, indirect quotes 5. Pronouns - subject, object, possessive, reflexive and relative 6. Prepositions - use of common prep. Phrases.
7. Adjectives + qualifiers + Comparative forms + Few / little 8. Adverbs + comparative forms 9. Gerunds.
10. Infinitives + negatives 11. All verb tenses - all active and passive 12. Sequence of tenses 13. All subordinate clauses (relative clause, adverbial clause, noun clause) +connecting words.
Part II- Vocabulary:
Objective:
To test students' knowledge of common vocabulary words.
Contents
1. Some vocabulary items from high school English textbooks.
2. Items from general English vocabulary.
Part III- Reading comprehension:
Objective:
To test students' knowledge of common vocabulary words.
Contents
1. Finding the meaning of words in context 2. Finding the main idea of a paragraph 3. Finding the topic of a passage 4. Listing subordinating details 5. Recognizing the importance of some details 6. Making inferences or deductions 7. Using numbers in passages to solve problems
Let ’s give it a try
.
Grammar
Articles
•
a
= indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with consonants.
She has a dog. / I work in a factory.
•
an
= indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with vowels (a,e,i,o,u)
Can I have an apple? / She is an English teacher.
•
the
= definite article (a specific object that both the person speaking and the listener know)
The car over there is fast. / The teacher is very good, isn't he?
• The first time you speak of something use "a or an", the next time you repeat that object use "the".
I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four bedrooms.
I ate in a Chinese restaurant. The restaurant was very good.
DO NOT
use an article with countries, states, counties or provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a collection of states such as "The United States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.
• Use an article with bodies of water, oceans and seas -
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean
•
DO NOT
use an article when you are speaking about things in general.
She likes reading books.
I like Russian tea.
•
DO NOT
use an article when you are speaking about meals, places, and transport.
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.
Check the handout for practice.
Subject-verb agreement
Notice these
Think about these situations:
When the expletive "it" is the subject … In sentences beginning with the expletives "there is" or "there are “… When words like "each" are the subject … When words like "none" are the subject … When the subjects are joined by "and" … When singular subjects are joined by words like "or" When one subject is singular and one plural …
Now try these examples.
On the wall …….. several posters. were was There ………. many possible candidates.
are is There ……… only one good candidate. are is It is my car which ……………… stall stalls
It is their cars which …………………..…… stall Stalls Each …………………………………her turn at rowing.
take takes Neither ……………………..…… the friends of the other.
like likes Everyone in the fraternity …..................his own set of prejudices.
has have
Each of the rowers ………... her turn at rowing.
take takes Some of the dollar …………………………..…. spent.
was were Some of the dollars ………………………….…. spent.
was were Both Tom and Jane ……………..…. passed the test.
have has Tom, as well as Jane, …….……….. passed the test.
have has
Either the man or his wife …. the truth of the matter knows know Neither money nor power ……. important any longer.
was were Neither the television nor the radios ………….
works work Neither the radios nor the television …………….
works work
Forming a negative
Positive sentence Negative sentence Contracted negative I am eating.
I am not eating.
I'm not eating.
You are working.
He is driving.
She is teaching.
It is raining.
We are reading.
They are writing.
You are not working.
He is not driving.
She is not teaching.
It is not raining.
We are not reading.
They are not writing.
You aren't working.
He isn't driving.
She isn't teaching.
It isn't raining.
We aren't reading.
They aren't writing.
Forming a question
Statement Yes/no question Wh- question I am eating.
You are crying.
He is going.
She is arriving.
It is sleeping.
We are leaving.
They are fighting.
Am I eating?
Are you crying?
Is he going?
Is she arriving?
Is it sleeping?
Are we leaving?
Are they fighting?
What am I eating?
Why are you crying?
Where is he going?
When is she arriving?
Why is it sleeping?
When are we leaving?
Why are they fighting?
Word Order Choose the most natural order.
a- Here she has worked for a very long time.
b- For a very long time she has worked here.
c- She has worked for a very long time here.
d-She has worked here for a very long time.
a- Please fill out with the details this form.
b- Please with your details fill out this form. c- Please fill out your details with this form.
d- Please fill out this form with your details
Word Order in questions
interrogative auxiliary verb subject other verb(s) indirect object direct object place time What would you like to tell me Did you have When were you a party in your flat yesterday? here?
Pronouns
Subjective Pronouns Objective Pronouns Possessive Pronouns Demonstrative Pronouns Indefinite Pronouns (all, any, both, each, everyone, few, many,
neither, none, nothing, several, some, and somebody.) Relative Pronouns Reflexive Pronouns (They should divide the berries among themselves.) Intensive Pronouns (The queen herself visited our class.) Reciprocal Pronouns (each other and one another
)
Jody has lost ________ book.
mine her hers theirs Junko has eaten her lunch already, but I'm saving ________ until later.
hers her my mine
This bird has broken ________ wing.
it ’s its ’ hers its
_____ pencil is broken. Can I borrow ____?
Mine, yours Your, mine My, yours Yours, mine
Opinion Size Age
Adjectives
Shape Colour Origin Material Purpose a silly young English man a huge round a small red metal bowl sleeping bag
Which is the correct order?
1- a small Canadian thin lady 2- a Canadian small thin lady 3- a small thin Canadian lady 4- a thin small Canadian lady
1- a carving steel new knife 2- a new steel carving knife 3- a steel new carving knife 4- a new carving steel knife
1- a cotton dirty old tie 2- a dirty cotton old tie 3- an old cotton dirty tie 4- a dirty old cotton tie
Your Answers Verbs hung up came to catch on eat out put on talk over get by turned down find out show up Sent. No.
Sentences
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
He tried to __________ his jacket before his tie was tied.
My family was able to ________ on very little money when I was young.
The detective vowed to __________ who the murderer was before the case went to trial.
Whenever we get tired of cooking, we ________ at our favorite Italian restaurant.
Carlos ________ on his sister because he was so tired of listening to her whining on the phone.
Tashonda was astonished that she was __________ for the counselor's position.
The committee promised that the celebrity would ______ at the big event.
When he __________, his wallet and bike were nowhere to be found.
Professor Farbman promised to _________ the exam after she returned the results.
Terri was able to ________ to the most complex problems in calculus before anyone else .
Verbs hung up came to catch on eat out put on talk over get by turned down find out show up Sentences Carlos HUNG UP on his sister because he was so tired of listening to her whining on the phone.
When he CAME TO, his wallet and bike were nowhere to be found.
Terri was able to CATCH ON to the most complex problems in calculus before anyone else.
Whenever we get tired of cooking, we EAT OUT at our favorite Italian restaurant.
He tried to PUT ON his jacket before his tied was tied.
Professor Farbman promised to TALK OVER the exam after she returned the results.
My family was able to GET BY on very little money when I was young.
Tashonda was astonished that she was TURNED DOWN for the counselor's position.
The detective vowed to FIND OUT who the real murderer was before the case went to trial.
The committee promised that the celebrity would SHOW UP at the big event.
What is an adverb?
The best way to tell if a word is an adverb is to try making a question, for which the answer is the word. If the question uses
how
,
where
or
when
, then the word is probably an adverb. Here is an example: Word in context Question Adverb?
Tom plays tennis aggressively.
Yes -- uses HOW.
They have a small house.
Matthew called the police immediately.
How does Tom play tennis?
What kind of house do they have?
When did Matthew call the police?
No -- uses WHAT KIND OF, so this is an adjective.
Yes -- uses WHEN.
Kinds of Adverbs
Adverbs of Manner
She moved slowly and spoke quietly.
Adverbs of Place
She has lived on the island all her life. She still lives there now.
Adverbs of Frequency
She takes the boat to the mainland every day.
She often goes by herself.
Adverbs of Time
She tries to get back before dark.
It's starting to get dark now.
She finished her tea first.
She left early.
Adverbs of Purpose
She drives her boat slowly to avoid hitting the rocks.
She shops in several stores to get the best buys.
THE ROYAL ORDER OF ADVERBS Subject & Verb Beth swims Manner Place Frequency enthusiastically in the pool every morning Time before dawn Purpose to keep in shape. Dad walks impatiently into town every afternoon before supper to get a newspaper. Julia naps in her room every morning before lunch.
Select the sentence in which usually appears in an appropriate position.
A. She usually shops for clothes at the local thrift store.
B. Usually she shops for clothes at the local thrift store.
C. She shops for clothes at the local thrift store usually.
D. Either "A" or "B" is fine.
Select the sentence with the most appropriate order of adverbial phrases.
A.
She leaves the island during the months of December and January after dark.
B.
She leaves the island after dark during the months of December and January.
C.
Either "A" or "B" is fine.
Gerunds
Gerund as subject:
Traveling
might satisfy your desire for new experiences. The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for new experiences.
Gerund as direct object:
They do not appreciate my
singing.
They do not appreciate my assistance.
Gerund as subject complement:
My cat's favorite activity is
sleeping
. My cat's favorite food is salmon.
Gerund as object of preposition:
The police arrested him for
speeding
. The police arrested him for criminal activity.
Verbs that take only infinitives as verbal direct objects
agree decide expect hesitate learn hope need want promise plan neglect attempt propose intend pretend
Examples
: I hope to go on a vacation soon. (not: I hope going on a vacation soon.) He promised to go on a diet. (not: He promised going on a diet.)
deny
Verbs that take only gerunds as verbal direct objects
risk delay consider can't help finish keep quit give up put off be fond of practice postpone regret admit miss tolerate enjoy avoid detest suggest keep (on) recall appreciate stop (quit) dislike mind recommend get/be through get/be tired of get/be accustomed to
Examples
: They always avoid drinking before driving. (not: They always avoid to drink before driving.) I recall asking her that question. (not: I recall to ask her that question.) get/be used to
Verbs that take gerunds or infinitives as verbal direct objects
start begin continue hate prefer like love try remember
Examples:
She has continued to work at the store. She has continued working at the store.
Simple Present Present Continuous Simple Past Past Continuous Present Perfect Past Perfect Simple Future
WILL
Future Perfect
WILL
Active
Once a week, Tom
cleans
the house. Right now, Sarah
is writing
the letter. Sam
repaired
the car. The salesman
was helping
the customer when the thief came into the store. Many tourists
have visited
that castle. George
had repaired
many cars before he received his mechanic's license. Someone
will finish
the work by 5:00 PM. They
will have completed
the project before the deadline.
Passive
Once a week, the house
is cleaned
by Tom. Right now, the letter
is being written
by Sarah. The car
was repaired
by Sam. The customer
was being helped
by the salesman when the thief came into the store. That castle
has been visited
by many tourists. Many cars
had been repaired
by George before he received his mechanic's license. The work
will be finished
by 5:00 PM. The project
will have been completed
before the deadline. Future Perfect
BE GOING TO
They
are going to have completed
the project before the deadline. The project
is going to have been completed
before the deadline. Future Perfect Continuous
BE GOING TO
The famous artist
is going to have been painting
the mural for over six months by the time it is finished. The mural
is going to have been being painted
by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.
Tenses
Try these questions.
Jane talks on the phone. Bob has been talking on the phone for an hour. Mary is talking on the phone.
Who is not necessarily on the phone now?
_____________
Jane
- Jane left when Tim arrived. - Bob left when Tim had arrived. - Tim arrived when Mary was leaving. - John had left when Tim arrived. - After Tim arrived, Frank left.
Who did not run into Tim?
_______
John
Clauses
Relative Clauses The lazy students whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser soon learned to keep their complaints to themselves.
Noun Clauses You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew.
Adjective Clause
They are searching for the one who borrowed the book .
Adverb Clauses
If the British co-operate, the Europeans may achieve monetary union .
Vocabulary
Commonly misused words
angel / angle cite / site / sight costume / custom decent / descent dessert / desert later / latter loose / lose peace / piece principal / principle quite / quiet
For each of the following questions choose the one correct answer
If you feel "Like a fish ________ water" you feel in the wrong place.
a.In
b.Under
c.out of d.over
His name definitely rings ________, although I can ’t put a face to it.
a. a memory b. a thought c. a bell d. a clock
I'm very suspicious of this deal. I can smell___ a. a rabbit b. a rose c. a rat d. a fish
To "_______ around the bush" is an idiom which means to avoid speaking about something directly.
a. run b. beat c. talk d. look
If you make fun of someone, you "pull his or her ________.
” a. arm b. finger c. leg d. toe
The crowd was so tightly packed that it took us hours to ________.
a. get through them.
b. get through it.
c. get through all them.
d. get through with it.
Look at this old photo, I ________ it, when I was cleaning the attic.
a. came over b. came across c. came into d. came round
We were very poor when I was a boy, my parents found it hard to ________. (survive on a small amount of money) a. get by b. get away c. get up d. get across
What is the collective noun for knives, forks, spoons and other eating utensils?
a. crockery b. cutlery c. weaponry d. eatery
Which of the following is the odd one out?
a. hammer b. chisel c. rolling pin d. pliers
The following words all contain the word ‘speed’. Which one is incorrect?
a. speed food b. speed bump c. speed reading d. speed limit
Which of the following do you ‘do’ and
not
‘make’?
a. a decision b. a fuss c. someone a favour d. a mistake
Which of the following
cannot
be delivered?
a. a baby b. a letter c. a smile d. a speech
What is the opposite of 'resistible'?
a. unresistible b. irresistible c. disresistible d. inresistible
Which word is the ‘odd one out’?
a. awful b. marvellous c. fab d. terrific
If you are seething, you are________.
a. very very cold b. very very thirsty c. very very worried d. very very angry
Which word is the odd one out?
a. ‘big bang’ b. penicillin c. planets d. solar system
She ’s always cleaning so her house is absolutely ________.
a. filthy b. tedious c. hideous d. spotless
If someone
grills
you, he / she ________.
a. asks you lots of difficult questions.
b. tells you lots of jokes and funny stories.
c. tells you all his / her problems.
d. makes you sit in the sun until you burn.
If you want to walk quietly, you ________.
a. stagger b. march c. tiptoe d. limp
More examples are available in the handout.
Reading Comprehension
Read the following text and answer the questions below.
Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821 and emigrated to New York City when she was ten years old. One day she decided that she wanted to be a doctor. That was nearly impossible for a woman in the middle of the 19 th century. After writing many letters seeking admission to medical schools, she was finally accepted by a doctor in Philadelphia. So determined was she that she taught in a school and gave music lessons to earn money for her tuition.
In 1849, after graduation from a medical school, she decided to further education in Paris. She wanted to be a surgeon, but a serious eye infection forced her to abandon the idea.
Upon returning to the United States, she found it difficult to start her own practice because she was a woman. By 1857, Elizabeth and her sister, also a doctor, along with another female doctor, managed to open a new hospital, the first for women and children. Besides being the first female physician and founding her own hospital, she also established the first medical school for women.
1- Why couldn ’t Elizabeth realize her dream of becoming a surgeon?
A- she couldn ’t get admitted to a medical school.
B- she decided to further her education in Paris.
C- a serious eye infection halted her request.
D- It was difficult for her to start a practice in the United States.
2- What main obstacle almost destroyed Elizabeth ’s chances for becoming a doctor?
A- She was a woman.
B- She wrote too many letters.
C- She couldn ’t graduate from a medical school.
D- She couldn ’t establish her hospital.
3- How many years elapsed between her graduation from medical school and the opening of her hospital?
A- 8 B- 10 C- 19 D- 36
4- All of the following are “firsts” in the life of Elizabeth Blackwell except ….
A- She became the first female physician.
B- She was the first woman surgeon.
C- She and several other women founded the first hospital for women and children.
D- She established the first medical school for women.