Study Guide
Field 079: Cherokee
Sample Oral Expression Assignment
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The following materials contain:
- General test directions
- Test directions for the oral expression assignment
- A sample oral expression assignment and strong response characteristics
- The performance characteristics and scoring scale
General Test Directions
This test consists of eight assignments. Directions for each assignment appear immediately before the assignment.
Test Directions for the Oral Expression Assignment
[ start bold Note to examinee: end bold These test directions are provided here to familiarize you with the directions you will see on the actual test. They may refer to features whose functionality is not enabled in this study guide. You will hear and see on the screen:]
For this section of the test, you will record a spoken response in the start bold target language end bold to an assignment presented on-screen.
At the conclusion of these directions, the test will automatically advance and the speaking assignment will be presented on the next screen. Listen to the directions carefully and review the assignment. You will have one minute to review the assignment and prepare your response. When your preparation time is over, you will be notified that your preparation time is complete and you should be ready to begin speaking. Watch the screen as the test advances and a Recorded Answer box is presented. start bold You will have two minutes to record your response. end bold Do start uppercase NOT end uppercase begin speaking until the screen advances and you see the Recorded Answer box presented on-screen. A sample of the Recorded Answer box appears below.
Monitor your recording time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. The time in the Recorded Answer box will count down from 120 seconds (2 minutes) and the status bar will fill as your recording time progresses.
When your recording time is over, the current status on the Recorded Answer box will change to "Completed," indicating the conclusion of the speaking assignment. You will automatically be advanced to the next screen. Do not click the start bold Next end bold button unless you have finished recording your response with time remaining and wish to move to the next screen. If you advance to the next screen with recording time remaining, you will not be able to go back.
You will be provided with a list of suggestions to help direct your response. It is not necessary that you address every point on the list, nor are you limited to the points mentioned. However, what you say must be relevant to the situation with which you are presented, and part of your score will be based on the degree to which you elaborate on the topic by addressing either the suggested points or points of your choosing. Remember to demonstrate your expressive ability by elaborating on the points that you make.
You may use the erasable notebooklet provided to make notes; however, start bold you will be scored only on the response that is recorded in the test. end bold
Your response to the oral expression assignment will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
start bold CONTENT: end bold adequacy of the information presented, including the number of ideas, the development of ideas, and the depth and specificity of supporting details
start bold COHERENCE: end bold organization and clarity of ideas communicated
start bold GRAMMAR: end bold accuracy of grammatical and syntactic constructions (e.g., conjugation of verbs, appropriate use of tenses, subject/pronoun and article/noun agreement)
start bold VOCABULARY: end bold command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and appropriateness of word choice
start bold FLUENCY: end bold ability to maintain a flow of speech, without hesitation or pauses which affect the overall comprehensibility of the response
start bold PRONUNCIATION: end bold comprehensibility of articulation and the appropriateness of stress
Be sure to speak about the assigned topic. You may not use any reference materials during the test.
You will have only start bold and uppercase ONE end bold and uppercase opportunity to record your response. Once the recording has begun, it cannot be stopped, nor can you re-record your response. Be sure that your microphone is in a downward position near your mouth before you begin speaking.
The screen will now advance and the speaking assignment will be presented.
[You will hear and see on the screen:]
start bold Read the instructions below. You will have 1 minute to study these instructions and prepare your response, and then 2 minutes to record your final response. You will be told when the preparation time is over and the recording is about to begin. Begin studying the instructions and preparing your response now. end bold
[You will see the assignment on the screen, with 1 minute of dead air recorded. Then you will hear:]
"Your preparation time is now over. At the conclusion of these directions, the screen will automatically advance and recording will automatically begin. Begin speaking when you see the Recorded Answer box presented on the next screen. Prepare to begin speaking now."
[You will hear and see on the screen:]
start bold Begin to respond in Cherokee now. You may take up to 2 minutes to complete your response. end bold
[You will see on-screen for 2 minutes: the assignment, the Recorded Answer box counting down, and the line of text below.]
start bold start uppercase DO NOT end uppercase click the Next button unless you have finished recording your response. end bold
Sample Oral Expression Assignment
subarea roman numeral 7
Oral Expression
[ start bold Note to examinee: end bold During the test, you will hear and see on-screen the directions below (for complete test directions to this assignment, see above):]
start bold Read the instructions below. You will have 1 minute to study these instructions and prepare your response, and then 2 minutes to record your final response. You will be told when the preparation time is over and the recording is about to begin. Begin studying the instructions and preparing your response now. end bold
Imagine that a friend of yours is considering buying a car and asks you for your advice. Speaking in Cherokee, respond to your friend's question. You may wish to include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- one advantage to buying a car;
- one disadvantage to buying a car;
- your advice to your friend about buying a car.
Remember to demonstrate your expressive ability by elaborating on the points that you make.
Strong Response Characteristics for the Oral Expression Assignment
An excellent response to the assignment would address the assigned topic and develop the topic by extensive elaboration of specific points. The response would be delivered in a consistently clear manner. The examinee would speak fluently, using a variety of sentences. The examinee's vocabulary would show mastery of a broad vocabulary including appropriate idiomatic expressions. The examinee would handle simple and complex linguistic constructions, avoiding errors that interfere with communication. The examinee would exhibit good to excellent pronunciation and intonation.
Performance Characteristics for the Oral Expression Assignment
The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the oral expression assignment.
Scoring Scale for the Oral Expression Assignment
Scores will be assigned to each response to the oral expression assignment according to the following scoring scale.