Ministry of EducationELT General Supervision TOEFLAptitude TestIELTS

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 INFORMATIONFORENGLISH 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 15 Questions (3 passages)Total Number of questions: 85 Items Time:60 minutes

Part I - Grammar: Objective:

To test students knowledge of general, basic English grammar.

Grammatical items may include:

1. Articles2- Quantifiers2. Subject-verb agreement + there is I there are3. Word order - questions, adjectives, indirect quotes4. Prepositions - use of common prep. Phrases.5. Pronouns - subject, object, possessive, reflexive and relative6. All verb tenses - all active and passive 7. Gerunds & Infinitives8. Sequence of tenses9. 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' comprehension of certain texts.

Contents

1. Finding the meaning of words in context2. Finding the main idea of a paragraph3. Finding the topic of a passage4. Listing subordinating details5. Recognizing the importance of some details6. Making inferences or deductions7. Using numbers in passages to solve problems

Lets give it a try.

Basic Concepts

Handout

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 on ArticlesAndquantifiers.

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 areWhen words like "each" are the subjectWhen 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 the examples in your worksheets.

Word OrderGuess 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

a party

in your flat

yesterday?

When

were

you

here?

Order of Adjectives

OpinionSizeAgeShapeColourOriginMaterialPurposeasillyyoungEnglishmanahugeroundmetalbowlasmallredsleepingbag

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

Check handout

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.

How does Tom play tennis?

Yes -- uses HOW.

They have a small house.

What kind of house do they have?

No -- uses WHAT KIND OF, so this is an adjective.

Matthew called the police immediately.

When did Matthew call the police?

Yes -- uses WHEN.

Kinds of AdverbsAdverbs 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.

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.

More examples

ClausesRelative ClausesThe lazy students whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser soon learned to keep their complaints to themselves. Noun ClausesYou really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew. Adjective ClauseThey are searching for the one who borrowed the book. Adverb Clauses If the British co-operate, the Europeans may achieve monetary union.

Phrasal verbs

Match the phrasal verb with the sentence that would most appropriately contain that verb. Your AnswersVerbsSent. No.Sentenceshung up1He tried to __________ his jacket before his tie was tied.came to2My family was able to ________ on very little money when I was young.catch on3The detective vowed to __________ who the murderer was before the case went to trial.eat out4Whenever we get tired of cooking, we ________ at our favorite Italian restaurant.put on5Carlos ________ on his sister because he was so tired of listening to her whining on the phone.talk over6Tashonda was astonished that she was __________ for the counselor's position.get by7The committee promised that the celebrity would ______ at the big event.turned down8When he __________, his wallet and bike were nowhere to be found.find out9Professor Farbman promised to _________ the exam after she returned the results.show up10Terri was able to ________ to the most complex problems in calculus before anyone else .

VerbsSentenceshung upCarlos HUNG UP on his sister because he was so tired of listening to her whining on the phone.came toWhen he CAME TO, his wallet and bike were nowhere to be found.catch onTerri was able to CATCH ON to the most complex problems in calculus before anyone else.eat outWhenever we get tired of cooking, we EAT OUT at our favorite Italian restaurant.put onHe tried to PUT ON his jacket before his tied was tied.talk overProfessor Farbman promised to TALK OVER the exam after she returned the results.get byMy family was able to GET BY on very little money when I was young.turned downTashonda was astonished that she was TURNED DOWN for the counselor's position.find outThe detective vowed to FIND OUT who the real murderer was before the case went to trial.show upThe committee promised that the celebrity would SHOW UP at the big event.

Go to handout

PronounsSubjective PronounsObjective PronounsPossessive PronounsDemonstrative PronounsIndefinite Pronouns (all, any, both, each, everyone, few, many, neither, none, nothing, several, some, and somebody.)Relative PronounsReflexive 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.mineherherstheirs

Junko has eaten her lunch already, but I'm saving ________ until later.hershermymine

Choose the right pronoun

This bird has broken ________ wing.itsitshersits

_____ pencil is broken. Can I borrow ____? Mine, yours Your, mine My, yours Yours, mine

Try handout

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? _____________JaneTensesTry these questions.

- 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

Try handout

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

need

promise

neglect

hope

want

plan

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.)

Verbs that take only gerunds as verbal direct objects

deny

risk

delay

consider

can't help

keep

give up

be fond of

finish

quit

put off

practice

postpone

tolerate

suggest

stop (quit)

regret

enjoy

keep (on)

dislike

admit

avoid

recall

mind

miss

detest

appreciate

recommend

get/be through

get/be tired of

get/be accustomed to

get/be used 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.)

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.

Try handout

Vocabulary

Commonly misused wordsangel / anglecite / site / sightcostume / customdecent / descent dessert / desertlater / latterloose / losepeace / pieceprincipal / principlequite / quiet

If you don't take exercise you ___ the risk of getting ill. a. stand b. face c. run d. suffer

He was ___ with embezzlement and sentenced to three years in prison. a. accused b. convicted c. charged d. arrested

If you are ___ with this test, perhaps you should attempt an easier one. a. stumbling b. stressed c. struggling d. straining

Insulation was fitted to ___ further heat loss from the building. a. guard b. protect c. save d. prevent

We are all ___ the opinion that hydrocarbons in the atmosphere contribute to global warming. a. in b. on c. of d. with e. at

_________ had we sold out our stock when the markets crashed. a. If only b. Just c. Seldom d. Hardly e. No sooner

I can't ___ thinking that we made a mistake in our calculations -- the total is too high. a. help b. bear c. stand d. be

I dread ___ what would have happened if there'd been an accident. a. thinking b. to think c. to thinking d. the thought

Can you wait thirty seconds while I ___ in to the Post Office for some stamps? a. saunter b. breeze c. break d. pop e. go

The chess players tried very hard to ___ each other with every move in the tournament. a. outnumber b. outclass c. outweigh d. outcome e. outwit

You reap what you ___. a. sew b. so c. sow

You need flexibility to ___ to new situations. a. adapt b. adopt

You look like an ___ in that white dress! a. angel b. angle

You can not ___ the problem by running away. a. allude b. elude

You can insult me but how dare you ___ my wife! a. sleight b. slight

William made a ___ that his brother would someday become an all-star pitcher. a. prophecy b. prophesy

Visibility was ___ because of the falling snow. a. nil b. null

Wait in line. Go to the end of the ___. a. cue b. queue

We always had a ___ living with us so our meals were never quiet. a. boarder b. border

We will know the _________ of the injuries after the x-ray. a. extant b. extent

Will this low mark ___ my grade? a. affect b. effect

This field will be the ___ of the new shopping center. a. cite b. sight c. site

This new information does not ___ my opinion of him. a. altar b. alter

To err is ___. a. human b. humane

To give someone a wide ___ means to stay out of their way. a. berth b. birth

Use a knife to ___ the potatoes. a. pear b. pair c. pare

There is nothing more ___ than cheese and chalk. a. desperate b. disparate

The radio is ___ the television. a. beside b. besides

"The teacher said he would not brook such outrageous conduct in the classroom."

bridgecomplainresenttoleratedeny

We had to postpone our walk until the storm would abate."

diminishfishembarrasswoundcatch

Playing their hardest, the two teams will vie for the basketball championship.

covetstimulatesurpassspeculatecompete

We seemed to abash her when we asked her if she liked her new job.

enlightenstrikeembarrassdeductforsake

It is a common practice to desiccate apricots before packing them for sale in stores.

destroychop fineprofanedry updelay

The parents had a lachrymose parting when their son left for his army unit in the war zone.

gloomyhappyenthusiastictearfullaughable

The governor treated the visiting delegations with deference.

delayrespectoppositionunconcernshyness

The lawyer tried to elicit a testimony from the reluctant witness.

profanebreak the lawdraw forthbegdemand

He was just a sanctimonious politician who can not be trusted.

solemndogmaticconceitedhypocriticalsteady

Why do you want to roil the mayor with these obvious lies about his family?

confuseinsultirritatecurlamuse

Most people feel it is inappropriate to have levity at a funeral service.

mockerysadnessgreat vitalityevennessfrivolity

The new evidence presented by the prosecutor will bode bad results for the lawyer's defense.

waitforeshadowdwellstimulateendure

She was obviously an officious clerk because she wouldn't leave us alone to make our own decisions.

insultingdemandingauthenticformalmeddlesome

If you feel "Like a fish ________ water" you feel in the wrong place.

InUnderout ofover

His name definitely rings ________, although I cant put a face to it.

a. a memoryb. a thoughtc. a belld. a clock

I'm very suspicious of this deal. I can smell___

a. a rabbitb. a rosec. a ratd. a fish

To "_______ around the bush" is an idiom which means to avoid speaking about something directly.

a. runb. beatc. talkd. look

If you make fun of someone, you "pull his or her ________.

a. armb. fingerc. legd. 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 overb. came acrossc. came intod. 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 byb. get awayc. get upd. get across

What is the collective noun for knives, forks, spoons and other eating utensils?

a. crockeryb. cutleryc. weaponryd. eatery

Which of the following is the odd one out?

a. hammerb. chiselc. rolling pind. pliers

The following words all contain the word speed. Which one is incorrect?

a. speed foodb. speed bumpc. speed readingd. speed limit

Which of the following do you do and not make?

a. a decisionb. a fussc. someone a favourd. a mistake

Which of the following cannot be delivered?

a. a babyb. a letterc. a smiled. a speech

What is the opposite of 'resistible'?

a. unresistibleb. irresistiblec. disresistibled. inresistible

Which word is the odd one out?

a. awfulb. marvellousc. fabd. terrific

If you are seething, you are________.

a. very very coldb. very very thirstyc. very very worriedd. very very angry

Which word is the odd one out?

a. big bangb. penicillinc. planetsd. solar system

Shes always cleaning so her house is absolutely ________.

a. filthyb. tediousc. hideousd. 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. staggerb. marchc. tiptoed. limp

More examples

Reading ComprehensionRead 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 19th 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 couldnt Elizabeth realize her dream of becoming a surgeon?

A- she couldnt 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 Elizabeths chances for becoming a doctor?

A- She was a woman.B- She wrote too many letters.C- She couldnt graduate from a medical school.D- She couldnt establish her hospital.

3- How many years elapsed between her graduation from medical school and the opening of her hospital?

A- 8B- 10C- 19D- 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.

For Extra Vocabulary Exercises & Reading Comprehension Questions, refer to the Handout.

*