When Teachers Flunk the Test; Much attention has been given to the poor performance of U.S. schoolchildren on proficiency tests, but many teachers have their own problems making the grade

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Sept 30, 2003 | by Kelly Patricia O'Meara

Kelly Patricia O'Meara is an investigative reporter for Insight.

Could You Flunk This Test?

1. Select the most appropriate word to complete the sentence below.

Both storms were bad, but Friday's was than Sunday.

A. worse

B. worser

C. worst

D. worsest

2. Which of the following represents appropriate, standard language usage for a school memorandum?

A. Mr. Cardman and I wasn't surprised by the kids' test scores.

B. The test results have no effect on class grades.

C. If the test don't matter to them, students won't try.

D. We could of made these scores part of their grades.

3. Which of the following is a complete sentence?

A. Clark, a bright and interested student.

B. He learns quickly.

C. Some concentration problems tough.

D. Writes very well.

4. Which underlined word below illustrates incorrect capitalization?

An association of parents met with Hartville's Principal.

A. association

B. parents

C. Hartville's

D. Principal

5. In the following sentences, which underlined word is spelled incorrectly?

A. The guidance department asked students to complete a survey.

B. The survey asked how well the department accommodated student needs.

C. The counsilors were responsible for developing the questionnaire.

D. After analyzing the results, they prepared a summary report.

6. In a class, 60 percent of the students need new text books. What fraction of the students need new textbooks?

A. 10/6

B. 3/5

C. 6/100

D. 6/9

7. The total cost for a field trip will be $3.25 for students who bring their own lunches and $5.25 for those who want lunch provided. If 16 students want lunch provided and 18 students wish to bring their own lunches, what will be the total

cost for the field trip?

A. $58.50

B. $84.00

C. $142.50

D. $289.00

8. An art class plans to paint a paper mural that will cover one-fourth of a wall that measures 8 feet by 28 feet. How many square feet of paper will be needed for the

mural?

A. 14 square feet

B. 41 square feet

C. 56 square feet

D. 224 square feet

9. Which unit of measurement is most appropriate for expressing the amount of liquid in a test tube?

A. milliliter

B. square centimeter

C. millimeter

D. kilogram

10. In English, a term paper accounts for 25 percent of a student's final grade, and the average of a student's test scores accounts for the rest. Marsha took all eight 50-question tests administered during the course. She received a score

of 79 out of 100 on the term paper. What additional information must be provided in order to calculate Marsha's final numerical grade?

A. the passing score on the term paper

B. what percent of the final grade test scores account for

C. her score on each of the tests

D. the average test scores of all students in the class

ANSWER KEY:

1. A

2. B

3. B

4. D

5. C

6. B

7. C

8. C

9. A

10. C