This book tells the story of the British Council's seventy-five year involvement in the field of English language testing. The first section of the book explores the role of the British Council in spreading British influence around the world through the export of British English language examinations and British expertise in language testing. Founded in 1934, the organisation formally entered the world of English language testing with the signing of an agreement with the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES) in 1941. This agreement, which was to last until 1993, saw the British Council provide substantial English as a Foreign Language (EFL) expertise and technical and financial assistance to help UCLES develop their suite of English language tests. Perhaps the high points of this phase were the British Council inspired Cambridge Diploma of English Studies introduced in the 1940s and the central role played by the British Council in the conceptualisation and development of the highly innovative English Language Testing Service (ELTS) in the 1970s, the precursor to the present day International English Language Testing System (IELTS). British Council support for the development of indigenous national English language tests around the world over the last thirty years further enhanced the promotion of English and the creation of soft power for Britain. In the early 1990s the focus of the British Council changed from test development to delivery of British examinations through its global network. However, by the early years of the 21st century, the organisation was actively considering a return to test development, a strategy that was realised with the founding of the Assessment Research Group in early 2012. This was followed later that year by the introduction of the Aptis English language testing service; the first major test developed in-house for over thirty years. As well as setting the stage for the re-emergence of professional expertise in language testing within the organisation, these initiatives have resulted in a growing strategic influence for the organisation on assessment in English language education. This influence derives from a commitment to test localisation, the development and provision of flexible, accessible and affordable tests and an efficient delivery, marking and reporting system underpinned by an innovative socio-cognitive approach to language testing. This final period can be seen as a clear return by the British Council to using language testing as a tool for enhancing soft power for Britain: a return to the original raison d'etre of the organisation.

This book contains 113 exams, each of which has 20 items. Most of these items are multiple choice. The correct answer is shown in the margin. Generally, these exams are of university level. Descriptor(s): ENGLISH LANGUAGE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING

As the demand for English language education grows in Asia, there has been a parallel growth in the development and implementation of standardized tests at the local level. Offering much-needed context on locally produced tests in Asia, contributors examine emerging models for English language assessment and the impact these large-scale tests have on the teaching and learning of English. Chapters address the following well-known and developing high-stakes tests in different regions across Asia: the GEPT, the TEPS, the VSTEP, the CET, the EIKEN and TEAP, and the ELPA. Brought together by world-renowned testing assessment scholar Cyril Weir and the Language Training and Testing Center (LTTC), one of Asia’s leading testing institutions based in Taiwan, this volume is a useful reference for evaluating, developing, and validating local tests of English and their societal impact. Comprehensive and research-based, chapters cover historic backgrounds, sociocultural contexts, test quality, international standing, and future considerations. Ideal for graduate students, researchers, and scholars in language assessment, TESOL/TEFL, and applied linguistics, this book will also be of interest to language teaching professionals, language test developers, and graduate students in Asian studies and international education, intercultural communication, and intercultural studies.

Vocabulary tests to accompany the popular English Vocabulary in Use Elementary second edition. Test Your English Vocabulary in Use Elementary 2nd edition can be used on its own or with the companion volume English Vocabulary in Use Elementary 2nd edition. It is a handy book of tests covering the vocabulary practised in English Vocabulary in Use Elementary 2nd edition.

Varied vocabulary tests with answers; new to the popular English Vocabulary in Use series. Varied vocabulary tests with answers; new to the popular English Vocabulary in Use series.

The fifteen tests in this book are designed to be used either with a teacher or for self-study. In a classroom situation, teachers can use the tests for general revision / consolidation purposes. Students working on their own can also test their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar while checking their answers in the answer key. Each test consists of 5 exercises, making a total of 35 questions. Exercise 1 tests knowledge of key grammar points in a multiple-choice format. Exercise 2 requires students to identify and correct a mistake. Exercise 3 is a classic cloze, testing knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in the context of a short text. Exercise 4 consists of 5 multiple-choice vocabulary questions. Exercise 5 requires students to write the missing word in a sentence (the first and last letters are given).The grammar points and the vocabulary items are all based on the B1 level syllabus as defined by the Common European Framework on Languages.

MET Test Success Associates' Michigan English Test Listening and Speaking Study Guide has two parts. PART 1: In the first part of the book, you will learn all of the idioms you need for success on the listening section of the Michigan English Test with our comprehensive idiom review. There are idioms and example sentences for you to study, with idiom exercises at the end of each chapter. Then take our two MET listening practice tests. Each practice listening test has 50 questions, which are in the same format as the real exam, so there are 100 listening exam questions in total. The mp3s are included for free. PART 2: In the second part of the book, you will learn all of the grammatical structures and phrases that examiners expect on your speaking test. The book has a special section on how to use conditional sentence structures to help raise your speaking exam score. There are 12 speaking tests for you to study. Sample responses and examiner's comments are included after two of the interviews. A complete answer key and the scripts for the listening passages are included at the back of the book.Get ready to ace your English placement test with MET Test Success Associates! Note: The volume with this ISBN is available for sale only to wholesalers and booksellers.

More than any book to date, this one provides a comprehensive approach to designing, building, implementing and interpreting test results that validly measure the academic achievement of English language learners. It scaffolds the entire process of test development and implementation and discusses essential intervention points. The book provides the type of evidence-based guidance called for in federal mandates such as the NCLB legislation. Key features of this important new book include the following... Comprehensive – This book recommends methods for properly including ELLs throughout the entire test development process, addressing all essential steps from planning, item writing and reviews to analyses and reporting. Breadth and Depth of Coverage– Coverage includes discussion of the key issues, explanations and detailed instructions at each intervention point. Research Focus – All chapters include an extensive review of current research. Emerging Trends – The chapters summarize guidance appropriate for innovative computer-based assessments of the future as well as the paper-and-pencil tests of today. This book is appropriate for anyone concerned with the development and implementation of fair and accurate testing programs for English language learners. This includes university based researchers, testing personel at the federal, state and local levels, teachers interested in better assessing their diverse student populations and those involved in the testing industry. It is also appropriate for instructors teaching undergraduate and graduate courses devoted to testing the full range of students in todays schools.

Four authentic KET papers from Cambridge ESOL with extra guidance and exam tips, plus CD-ROM.