Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Definition:
Example #1
Directions: Assuming that the information below is true, it is possible to establish other facts
using the ones in this paragraph as a basis for reasoning. This is called drawing inferences.
Write the proper symbol in the space provided. Use only the information given in the paragraph
as a basis for your responses
By the close of the thirteenth century there were several famous universities established in
Europe, though of course they were very different from modern ones. One of the earliest to be
founded was one of the most widely known. This was the University of Bologna, where students
from all countries came who wished to have the best training in studying Roman Law. Students
especially interested in philosophy and theology went to the University of Paris. Those who
wished to study medicine went to the Universities of Montpellier or Salerno.
Questions on Paragraph A
___ 3. In the Middle Ages people were not interested in getting education.
___ 5. Most of the teaching in these medieval universities was very poor.
Answer Key
Example #2
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Percentage of population between the ages of 25 and 34 who have completed secondary and higher education,
by gender for large industrialized countries: 1989
Males Females
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Country
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Directions:
The following statements refer to the data in the table above. Mark each statement according to the following
key.
1. Across all seven countries, the percentage of men between the ages of 25 and 34 who have completed their
higher education is greater than the corresponding percentage of woman.
S R N
2. College admissions policies give preferential treatment to male applicants over female applicants.
S R N
3. When males and females are combined, the U.S. has the second-highest secondary school completion
percentage for young adults between the ages of 25 and 34.
S R N
Answer Key
Example #3
Answer Key
EXERCISE B
Average number of days of school per year for 13-year-olds, by country. School year 1990-91.
(From The Condition of Education, 1993. National Center for Education Statistics.)
Circle: T if the data in the chart are sufficient to make the statement true.
F if the data in the chart are sufficient to make the statement false.
I if the data in the chart are insufficient to determine whether the statement is true o
false.
T F I 1. The number of days per year of school is lower in the U.S. than in any other countries shown.
T F I 2. The average number of days of school is higher in the three Asian countries than in the reremaining six.
Answer Key
Advantages
The interpretive exercise has many advantages. First, the introductory material makes it possible to measure the ability to interpret writ
materials, charts, graphs, maps, pictures, and other communication media encountered by everyday situations. Second, the interpretive
exercise makes it possible to measure more complex learning outcomes than can be measured with a single objective item. Third, by
having a series of related test items based on a common set of data, greater depth and breadth can be obtained in the measurement of
intellectual skills. Forth, the interpretive exercise minimizes the influence of irrelevant factual information on the measurement of
complex learning outcomes.
The main advantage of the interpretive exercise over the performance-based assessment task, in measuring complex achievement, is
derived from its greater structure. Students are not free to redefine the problem.
Limitations
One major limitations the interpretive exercise has is the difficultly of construction. Selecting printed materials that are new to the stud
but that are relevant to the instructional outcomes requires considerable searching. When pertinent material is found, it usually must be
edited and reworked to make it suitable for testing purposes. A second limitation, especially pertinent when the introductory material is
written form, is the heavy demand on reading skill. The poor reader is handicapped by both the difficulty of the reading material and th
length of time it takes to read each test question.
SUGGESTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTING INTERPRETIVE EXERCISES
There are two main tasks in constructing interpretive exercises (1) selecting appropriate introductory material
and (2) constructing a series of dependent test items. The following suggestions will aid in constructing high-
quality interpretive exercises:
2. Select introductory material that is appropriate to the students curricular experience and reading level.
5. Revise introductory material for clarity, conciseness, and greater interpretive value.
6. Construct test items that require analysis and interpretation of the introductory material.
7. Make the number of test items roughly proportional to the length of the introductory material.
8. In constructing test items for an interpretive exercise, observe all pertinent suggestions for constructing
objective items.
9. In constructing key-type test items, make the categories homogeneous and mutually exclusive.
10. In constructing key-type test items, develop standard key categories where applicable.
Please report to the following URL to take the post-test. Make sure that Internet explorer is open before clicking on the highlighted
address.
Http://motted.hawaii.edu/~quizuser/quizzes/dhousten/InterpretiveTest.html