How do you account for this? The test developers are trained to select passages based on text typology. They consider the text mode for instance, is the purpose of the passage to persuade, or to inform? At high levels there is a great diversity of types of texts and uses of language; for example, level 4 people should understand both formal academic language and slang or non-standard dialect.
Who writes the tests? Each DLPT5 is developed by a team consisting of two or more speakers of the target language almost always native speakers of the target language , plus a project manager who is an experienced test developer.
In addition, each test has several reviewers, at least one of whom must be a native speaker of English. Will any have both? The type of test available depends on the size of the population of test-takers.
Multiple-choice tests are preferable because they can be scored automatically; however, in order to generate the statistical information needed to calibrate these tests, we need a large number of people at least , preferably or more to take the validation form of the tests. For languages for which we cannot get this many people to take a validation form, constructed-response tests are developed.
Constructed-response tests do not require the large-scale statistical analysis; the disadvantage is that they must be scored by human raters and so take more time and personnel after the administration. Some languages have a multiple-choice test for the lower-range test and a constructed-response test for the upper-range test; these are languages in which there are plenty of potential test-takers at level 3 and below, but very few above level 3.
Computer adaptive tests are only possible for multiple-choice tests; at this time it is anticipated that we will have computer-adaptive tests only in the largest-population languages probably Arabic-Modern Standard, Korean, Chinese-Mandarin, Spanish, and Russian. How many forms are available in each language?
How often are they updated? Most DLPT5s have two forms. Additional forms are under development for some languages. An update schedule for new forms has not been determined, but it is anticipated that forms will be updated more often for the languages with many linguists than for those with few linguists. Is the CRT an essay test?
At the lowest levels, examinees only need to type a few words or a sentence. At higher levels, they may need to type several sentences, but the questions are designed for short answers, not connected prose. Will people be penalized for poor English on the CRT responses?
As long as the scorers can understand the ideas being conveyed, it does not matter if the examinee uses correct punctuation, spelling, or grammar. Do I need to answer all the questions on a CRT? What are the procedures for grading CRTs? Each question has a scoring protocol that indicates which ideas are to be given credit. Examinees do not have to match the wording in the protocol exactly, just the idea that is expressed there.
Trained scorers work from the protocol to mark answers right or wrong; there is no partial credit. Each test is scored independently by two scorers. If the scorers end up disagreeing, an expert third rater scores the test to determine the level. How are raters trained? Raters are employees of the Evaluation and Standardization Directorate at DLIFLC, or, for tests administered to civilians in the intelligence community, the raters are trained directly by experts at the Evaluation and Standardization Directorate.
All raters are given a one-day training session in which they learn how to read the scoring protocols and assign levels. Because questions and answers are in English, a rater, once trained, can score tests for any language.
After training, new raters begin scoring; the second scorer for the tests they rate is an experienced scorer. Periodic analyses of rater tendencies are conducted, and rater support sessions are provided if raters seem to be slipping. Regular re-norming sessions for all raters are planned. How is subjectivity mitigated in CRT grading?
As described above, there is a protocol for each test specifying the range of acceptable answers for each question. Raters must follow the protocols, and are trained to do so.
So for any given test-taker response, any given rater is likely to rate that response the same way. Also as described above, two raters rate independently, and statistics are kept of agreement and rater tendencies, so that raters who are inconsistent are retrained or removed from the rater pool.
How long will it take to get score reports? Scores are typically generated within one week of test administration. Time may vary depending on availability of raters. Does focusing my thoughts using the answer choices still work on the DLPT5? Test-takers who prefer to read the question and all the answer choices before reading or listening to the passage may still do so, and those who feel that this is useful on earlier versions of the DLPT will probably still feel it is useful on the DLPT5.
Is there the possibility of several correct answers on the multiple-choice test? Each question has just one correct answer. The statistical analysis performed during validation reveals any questions for which high-ability examinees are divided between two or more answers, and those questions are not used in the operational forms of the test. Examinees below the proficiency level targeted by the passage and question may see several answer choices as correct, because the questions are written with the idea that examinees below the level should not be able to guess the correct answer.
But examinees at or above the level will be able to find the single correct answer. If there is a question that a majority of examinees get wrong, will it be thrown out? Not necessarily. Statistical analysis involves more than difficulty. However, a question at level 1 should be answered correctly by most test-takers; questions at the low levels that are much more difficult than expected are thrown out.
How are the cut scores for multiple-choice tests determined? This computation is then applied to the questions on specific operational forms to generate cut scores. The timer is set to where it was at the time the [Next] button was last clicked, so the examinee does not lose any time. Do I get a choice whether to take a test on computer or on paper?
DLPT5s do not have paper versions. As for earlier generations of DLPTs, once they have been converted to computer delivery, the paper versions are retired from use. Do I have to go to a test center to take the test? There are required software, hardware, and test security specifications that prevent tests from being given on private computers.
Do I have to take the listening and reading tests back to back, on the same day? The listening and reading tests are considered as separate tests and can be administered completely separately. How much time is allowed for each test, and how was that amount of time determined?
The next screen provides a list of tests for which the examinee is eligible; the examinee selects the appropriate test from the list. Once the test has been selected, a series of introductory screens appears. The examinee must click on the indicated checkboxes under the Disclaimer and the Non-Disclosure Statement before moving to the next screen. The next few screens contain examples of the screen layout for examinees to familiarize themselves with the features of the test, instructions for taking the test and a sample test passage.
The text and questions in these screens appear smaller than the text and questions on the actual test passages. Reading comprehension test Example of screen layout for the reading comprehension test: The example text represents a generic foreign language; it is not meant to be legible. Explanations of the parts of the screen are provided. The next screen contains one sample passage with its associated question or questions.
Example of a reading sample passage:. After the sample passage, the examinee clicks on the [Next] button and moves to the test start screen. Test Start Screen for the Reading Test. Listening comprehension test Example of screen layout for the listening comprehension test:.
The next two screens contain instructions for the listening comprehension test. Note that examinees may select their answers to the questions while the audio is playing. Example of listening sample questions the sample passage audio is played while the screen is displayed :. End-of-Test Review Information At the end of each test, a review screen appears for examinees to review their responses to the questions before submitting the test.
From the review page, examinees will be able to jump to any given passage. They will be able to respond to any questions they have not answered, or they can change an answer. The audio for the Listening Test will not be played again during this review period. Example of the review screen:. Question 1 1. What does the article say the robot can do?
A Lift heavy things. B Pick up a bottle of water. C Shake hands with a scientist. D Hold a can and walk. The best answer is D. The article describes a robot which can hold a soda can and walk in the lab.
Therefore D is the best answer. A is not the best answer because the article did not say the robot can lift heavy things. B is not the best answer because the article did not say the robot can pick up a bottle of water.
C is not the best answer because the passage did not mention the robot shaking hands with a scientist. Questions 2 3 2.
What did the narrator see? A A businessman walking barefoot. B A thief stealing clothes. C A gardener spraying passersby. D A person bathing in public. This passage is a report about a man who bathed in the sprinklers watering a public lawn; hence D is the best answer. A is not the best answer because, while it is mentioned that the man took off his shoes to clean them, he was not seen walking barefoot, nor was he identified as a businessman.
B is also not the best answer because while the bathing man took off his clothes and washed them, no one stole them. C is not the best answer, because the water mentioned in the passage was spraying on the grass, but no one was directing it toward passersby. What was the man's reaction when questioned by the passersby?
A Embarrassed. B Disrespectful. C Intimidated. D Bewildered. The best answer is B. When onlookers confronted this man about his behavior, he made rude comments back to them, thus B is the best answer. A is not the best because the man did not act in an embarrassed way or seek to hide from onlookers. C is also not the best answer, because the man did not feel threatened by the onlookers, but made retorts to their comments. D is not the best answer. Instead he responded in a surly manner to the question.
Questions 4 - 8 4. According to the passage, what is one cause of the problem discussed here? A Complacency.
B Dissatisfaction. C Ignorance. D Passiveness. In this passage the author talks about how people are rarely ever satisfied with what they have and what leads to these feelings of discontentment, hence B is the best answer.
A is not the. C is not the best answer either because the people mentioned in the passage are very conscious of the world around them, not unaware. D is not the best answer either because the people discussed in the passage are actively pursuing their dreams. The phrase in the third paragraph most nearly means A being exasperated.
B being hesitant. C being confident. D being courageous. The best answer is C. The phrase chouchumanzhi means being happy and elated chouchu means hesitant.
Therefore, C: being confident is the best answer. A, B and D do not match the meaning of the phrase. In the middle of the last paragraph, what suggestion does the author make to readers? A Appreciate diversity. B Learn from others. C Practice humility. D Engage in self-reflection. By performing such examination, people will definitely identify aspects in their lives that they have overlooked. Then, they will realize that they are not the failures they thought themselves to be.
Therefore, D: Engage in self-reflection is the best answer. The author uses the element in the phrase at the end of the last paragraph in order to A convey the difficulty in implementing the authors theory. B cast doubt on the viability of the final recommendation. C show the delight in seeing people accept the proposed ideas.
D express the joy of achieving personal happiness. The best answer is A. The element guo neng ru ci indicates what is coming afterwards is an expectation rather than a reality.
However, the writer doubts readers will put these recommendations into practice on the basis of observations on human nature described in paragraph 3. Therefore, A: convey the difficulty in implementing the authors theory is the best answer.
B is not the best answer because the writer is certain that the recommendations will help, by the use of the word liangyao meaning good medicine. C is not the best answer because the writer does not know if people have put the recommendations into practice. What is one conclusion that can be drawn from the authors discussion of this topic?
A Competitiveness increases ones competence. B Progress can result from a lack of fulfillment. C Success can grow out of hardships. D Achievement lies in constant vigilance.
The author concludes that while a feeling of discontentment may be annoying for the individual, society actually benefits from human beings desires to improve their lot, thus B is the correct answer. A is not the best answer because, while the idea of competing in order to get ahead is a theme of the passage, it is not viewed as a way to improve individual competence.
C is not the best answer, because success is only mentioned in the context of the good feelings associated with it fading with time. D is also not the best answer because, while the passage refers to achievement at the societal level, the concept of vigilance is not mentioned. Questions 9 - 12 9. According to the passage, what can be concluded about the first school of thought? A They have distorted Chinas historical development. B They have over generalized Marxist theory. C They have misrepresented Webers ideas.
D They have overstated the impact of capitalism on a society. This passage discusses two points of view on why capitalism has not developed in China. This first school of thinkers are the Marxists who believe that capitalism is an inevitable developmental stage in all societies and while it has begun to appear in China, its full development has been blocked in some fashion.
The author believes this Marxist approach was really created with a Western European model in mind and cannot realistically be applied to other non-European societies, hence the correct answer is B. A is not the best option because these thinkers have not distorted Chinas historical development, they simply have not taken it into account. C is also not the best answer because the first school of thought refers to Marxist and not Weberian thinkers.
D is not the best option because these thinkers are not discussing capitalisms impact on a society, but its evolution. What can be inferred from the authors discussion of Chinas social development? A A theory must be able to withstand outside scrutiny. B A theory must allow for adaptations by specific groups to be viable. C A theory must be implemented with realistic considerations. D A theory must allow for broad applicability to gain acceptance.
The author is critical of those who adhere to either Marxism or Weberianism without considering the broader historical context in which the two theories were introduced. The author offers reasons in paragraphs 3 and 4 and suggests that people should take the Chinese context into consideration when using a theoretical model to examine developments in China. Therefore, the best choice is C. A is not the best choice because the author is not concerned with outside scrutiny of a theory, but rather the appropriateness of its application to a specific group.
B is also not the best choice because the author does not discuss allowing individual groups to alter theoretical models. D is not the best answer because this passage is not about acceptance of a theory. According to the author, how would Weberian historians explain Chinas inability to become a capitalist state? A China lacked the necessary conditions to initiate the change. B Chinas socio-political system was unique and resistant to transformation. C The Weberian methodology was not adhered to closely by its Chinese supporters.
D Western European ideologies did not transplant well to China. The correct option A can be deducted from the second paragraph, in which the author summarizes the Weberian model and offers a view on why capitalism was possible in the West. Namely, it was the result of the interplay of the economic, socio-political, and religious factors. The absence of capitalism in China, according to Weberian theory, would mean that conditions in China were not ripe for this practice.
B is not the best answer because it refers to only one of the elements necessary for the evolution of capitalism and the author does not refer to these elements in isolation. C is not the best answer because the author is not critical of thinkers in this school of thought. D is also not the best answer because Weberian thinkers do not talk about imposing a western model on China. What is the authors conclusion of the discussion? A Attempting to influence Chinas social evolution from the outside is presumptuous.
B Analyzing the motivations of Chinas political movement is futile. C Isolating individual factors to account for Chinas progress is impossible. D Forcing a premise to explain Chinas development has little merit. In the last paragraph, the author concludes the discussion by suggesting historians apply the principles of a western theoretical model in the broadest sense and consider the Chinese context. Otherwise, they will be making the same mistake as others trying to impose a foreign model onto Chinese society and their efforts and work will be groundless and irrelevant, thus D is the correct answer.
A is not the best answer because the author does not discuss influencing Chinas social evolution. B is also not the best answer because the motivation of Chinas political movements is not the issue. C is not the best answer because the author does not attempt to analyze Chinas political evolution by isolating individual factors. What does the man ask the woman to do?
A Join him and others on a bicycle trip. B Join the college rock climbing club. C Help him book a ticket to Huang Shan. D Work part-time over the summer vacation. The conversation is about a bicycle trip to the Huang Mountains in the summer. Therefore A is the best answer. B is not the best answer because the two people did not mention rock climbing. C is not the best answer because the man did not ask the woman to book him a ticket to the Huang Mountains.
D is not the best answer because the two people talked about a trip not working over the summer vacation. What action described in the newspaper is the topic of this conversation? A An initiative to involve residents in community work. B An incentive to conserve the water supply. C A new procedure for dealing with stray animals. D A creative plan to expand city parks. This passage is a conversation about the city governments initiative to involve its residents in taking care of the trees planted by the city; therefore A is the best answer.
B is not the best answer because the people in the conversation did not talk about water conservation. C is not the best answer either because although the man and woman mentioned adopting cats and dogs, they did not talk about dealing with the problem of stray animals.
D is not the best answer because the man and woman did not talk about expansion of city parks. What is expected from the participants in this activity? A Providing a home for abandoned pets. B Enforcing requirements for water conservation. C Planting a tree in a new city park. D Maintaining the health of trees in public places.
According to the conversation, residents are expected to adopt trees alongside the city streets. They have to sign an agreement with the city government and are responsible for the upkeep of the trees. Therefore, D is the best answer. A is not the best answer because stray animals are not the topic of this conversation. B is not the best answer either because the man and woman did not talk about water conservation. C is not the best answer because the conversation is not about planting trees but taking care of trees belonging to the city.
Questions 4 5 4. According to the passage, what is the cause of the phenomenon under discussion here? A The lack of intellectual rigor on the part of certain academics. B A sense of defensiveness about ones achievements. C A suspicion about some claims of accomplishment. D The pressure to publish a requisite number of articles.
The cause of the phenomenon discussed in the passage is a desire to protect ones intellectual status as well as to assert ones achievements through refuting the achievements of others.
According to the speaker, this attitude boils down to narrow-mindedness and a wish to hold on to the status and benefits one enjoys. Thus, B is the best answer. A is not the best answer because this phenomenon, according to the speaker, is caused by an overprotective attitude towards ones accomplishments. It is not caused by the academics lack of intellectual rigor.
C is not the best answer because the speaker did not mention suspicion about some peoples claims of accomplishment. D is not the best answer because the phenomenon discussed is not about the pressure of publication that scholars face but the means some academics resort to in keeping their status.
What advice does the speaker give? A Scholars should select bold research topics instead of safe bets. B Scholars should strive to understand personalities as well as academic issues. C Scholars should focus on their own development rather than belittling others. D Scholars should listen to different opinions instead of disputing them.
The speaker suggests that intellectuals should focus on self-improvement and development instead of disparaging others. Therefore, C is the best answer. A is not the best answer because the speaker did not ask the intellectuals to select bold research topics. Instead she suggested that they should work with honesty and dedication. B is not the best answer because the speaker did not address the necessity of understanding other people.
D is not the best answer because the problem discussed here does not stem from scholars failure to listen to different opinions. It originates in a narrow mindset. Therefore, D is irrelevant. Questions 5 - 6 5. What challenge did the author face early in his career?
A His lack of formal training restricted his mode of expression. B He had to endure criticism from those who did not understand his work. C His ideal of literature had to be compromised for financial success. D He was unable to reconcile his writing to the predominant literary style. D is the best answer because the man felt he could not write truthfully in the style or manner recognized by mainstream writers. A is not the best answer because although the man lacked formal training, it did not impede him from expressing his views about society.
B is not the best answer because the man did not say he endured criticism. C is not the best answer because financial success was not a concern in the interview.
According to the man, why does he write in the style for which he is presently known? A It is a strategy he uses to reveal reality to his readers. B It stems from a commitment to promote the goodness of life. C It is a conscious choice to differentiate himself from other writers.
D It comes from a belief that writers should explore all options in writing. A is the best answer because according to the man, he could not use the type of the language recognized by his contemporaries to depict society truthfully. He had to use the style he is known for to suggest to his readers that they have to go beyond the words for the truth about society.
B is not the best answer because the man did not say he was committed to promoting the goodness of life. C is not the best answer because, though his writing style is a conscious choice, the man did not intend to distinguish himself from other writers.
Rather, it is a strategy for him to tell his readers about society. D is not the best answer because the man did not mention that writers should explore all options in writing. Appendix A: Interagency Language Roundtable Language Skill Level Description Preface The following descriptions of proficiency levels 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 characterize spoken-language use. Each higher level implies control of the previous levels' functions and accuracy.
The "plus-level" descriptions, therefore, are subsidiary to the "base-level" descriptions. A skill level is assigned to a person through an authorized language examination.
Examiners assign a level on a variety of performance criteria exemplified in the descriptive statements. Statements describing accuracy refer to typical stages in the development of competence in the most commonly taught languages in formal training programs.
In other languages, emerging competence parallels these characterizations, but often with different details. Unless otherwise specified, the term "native speaker" refers to native speakers of a standard dialect.
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