The purpose of the Criterion Test at the end of each module is to show you not only how much of the material you have learned, but also what points you need to work on before beginning to study another module.
Since the primary goal of ORN is to introduce the sound system of Standard Chinese, this test focuses on your ability to discriminate and produce tones, vowels, and consonants. Additionally, there are sections which test your ability to comprehend and produce numbers from 1 through 99 and the material in the ORN Target Lists.
Your knowledge of personal names and titles and the romanization system is also tested. Read the Objectives at the beginning of the module for a description of exactly what the test covers.
Note: Although the entire sound system is introduced in the Pronunciation and Romanization Module, you will be tested here only on those sounds which occur in the Target Sentences. Other sounds will be included in Criterion Tests for later modules.
Following is a sample of the Criterion Test for this module. Each section of the test, with directions and a sample question, is represented here so that you may know exactly what is expected of you after studying the ORN Module.
Minimum scores are suggested for each section of the test. Achieving these scores means that you are adequately prepared for the next module. If you fall below the minimum criterion on any section, you should review relevant study materials.
You will use a tape to complete Part I of the test. Part II is written, and you will complete Part III with your instructor. Part IV of the test (Diagnostics) indicates the passing score for each section and review materials for each section.
This section tests your ability to distinguish the four tones. In your test booklet you will see two syllables after each letter. The speaker will pronounce both syllables, and then say one of them again. You are to decide which syllable was repeated, and circle the appropriate one to indicate your choice. The syllables may occur in any of the four tones, regardless of which tone was used previously in the module. The same syllable may occur more than once in this section.
For example, the speaker might say: fēi … fěi and then repeat fēi
fēi fěi
This section tests your ability to recognize the four tones in isolated syllables. The speaker will pronounce a syllable twice; you add to the written syllable the tone that you hear. Again, the syllables may occur in any of the four tones, regardless of which tone was used previously in the module.
For example, the speaker might say: fěi...fěi
fei → fěi
This section tests your ability to recognize the four tones in two-syllables combinations. The speaker pronounces each two-syllable item twice and then pauses a moment for you to mark tones on the written syllables. For the first ten items, one of the two tones is already marked. For the last ten items, you must fill in both tones.
For example: the speaker might say: cháběi...cháběi
chabei → cháběi
In this section, you are tested on syllables which differ minimally in sound. The speaker will pronounce each syllable in an item once; then he will pronounce one of the syllables again. Decide which of the syllables was repeated, and indicate your choice by circling that written syllable in your test booklet. The syllables in this test do not necessarily correspond in every way to syllables in the Target Lists They may vary in tone, for example.
For example, the speaker might say: fàn...fàng and then repeat fàng.
fàn fàng
In this section, you complete the romanization for the syllables that you hear. As the speaker says a syllable, write the appropriate vowel or consonant letter(s) in the blank. This tests your ability to recognize the sounds of a syllable and to use the romanization system correctly. The speaker will say each syllable twice.
For example, the speaker might say: pàng...pàng then you would write:
pàng
This section tests your ability to understand the numbers 1 through 99 in Chinese. For each item, the speaker will say a number, and you write down the numerals for that number.
For example, you might hear: shí-sān
13
This section tests your ability to understand questions and answers about where someone is from and where he is now. Listen to a conversation between Mr. Johnson and Comrade Zhào, who have just met. You will hear the conversation three times. The third time you hear it, a pause will follow each line. You may use these pauses to fill in the boxes in your booklet with appropriate information. (You do not have to wait for the second repetition of the conversation to fill in the answers, of course.)
For example: [You will hear a conversation similar to conversations you heard on the C-2 tapes in this module.]
| Home State or Province | Present Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Comrade Zhào | ||
| Mr. Johnson (Yuēhànsūn) | ||
| Comrade Zhào's husband | ||
| Mrs. Johnson |
This section tests your ability to comprehend Chinese utterances by asking you for the English equivalents. For each item, the speaker will say a sentence from the Target List twice. You indicate your understanding of the sentence by circling the letter of the English sentence which most closely matches the meaning of the Chinese sentence.
For example, you might hear: nǐ shì shéi?...nǐ shì shéi?
Who is she?
Who is he?
Who are you?
This section tests your general understanding of the Chinese system of personal names and titles. Read the family histories in your test booklet, and answer the questions.
For example,
Yáng Tíngfēng is the Chinese name used lay an American, Timothy Young, now that he is living in Taipei. His Chinese surname is:
Yáng
Tíngféng
Yáng Tíngféng
This section tests your ability to pronounce the four tones. Simple sound combinations have been chosen so that special attention may be given to tone production. For each item, choose one syllable and read it aloud. As you do so, put a circle around the one you choose. The instructor will note the syllable he hears. Be sure to choose a fair sampling of all four tones, and select them in random order.
For example, you might say:
mā má mǎ mà
This section tests your ability to pronounce Chinese sounds from the Target Lists, as well as your ability to read romanization. For each item, choose one syllable and read it aloud. As you do so, put a circle around the one you choose. The instructor will note the syllable he hears. Be sure to choose syllables from each column as you go through this section of the test.
For example, you might say:
nín...níng
This section tests your ability to locate and name main cities and provinces in China. Using the map in your booklet, point out to your instructor five cities and five provinces and name them. Pronunciation is of secondary importance here.
This section tests your ability to produce sentences in Chinese. Your instructor will say an English sentence from the Target Lists, and you translate it into Chinese. Your Chinese sentence must "be correct," both in grammar and in content.
This section tests your ability to make conversational use of the material covered in this module. Although limited in scope, this conversation between you and your instructor represents a situation which you are likely to encounter in the real world. As in any conversation, you are free to ask for a repetition or rephrasing of a sentence, or you may volunteer information on the subject. It is not so much the correctness of your pronunciation and grammar that is being tested as it is your ability to communicate effectively.