Practice: Reading: Evaluating an Argument

Answer all the questions, then check your score and read the explanations.

1. Question 1 · Multiple choice

   What is the central claim of the text?

   A.Standardised tests should be abolished.B.Uniform conditions do not guarantee fair opportunity.C.Testing is administratively inconvenient.D.Second-language candidates always fail.
2. Question 2 · Multiple choice

   The phrase superficially compelling implies that the argument

   A.is entirely wrongB.seems convincing until examinedC.is difficult to understandD.is widely rejected
3. Question 3 · True or false

   The author calls for standardised assessment to be discarded.

   TrueFalse
4. Question 4 · Gap fill

   The author says confidence in results should be ___ to the conditions.
5. Question 5 · Multiple choice

   What confusion does the author identify?

   A.Mistaking uniformity for equityB.Mistaking equity for efficiencyC.Mistaking testing for teachingD.Mistaking fairness for speed
6. Question 6 · Multiple choice

   Why does the confusion survive, according to the text?

   A.Nobody has noticed it.B.The alternative requires effort.C.Research is unavailable.D.Candidates prefer it.
7. Question 7 · Multiple choice

   The tone of the writer is best described as

   A.dismissive and hostileB.measured and criticalC.enthusiasticD.neutral and purely descriptive
8. Question 8 · True or false

   Purports to assess suggests the writer doubts what the test really measures.

   TrueFalse