TEST SPECIFICATION
(Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia 2015)
Component
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Test Specifications
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1 Listening
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Candidates are assessed on their ability to comprehend
various types of oral text of varying length and level of complexity (content
and language).
Assessment will cover the
following:
(i)
knowledge
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recalling information
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recognising main ideas
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recognising supporting details
(ii)
comprehension
•
deriving meaning of words, phrases, sentences
from context
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paraphrasing
(iii) application
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predicting outcomes
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applying a concept to a new situation
(iv) analysis
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understanding language functions
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distinguishing the relevant from the
irrelevant
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distinguishing fact from opinion
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drawing inferences
•
identifying roles and relationships
(v)
synthesis
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following the development of a point or an
argument
•
summarising information
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Component
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Test Specifications
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(vi) evaluation
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appraising information
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making judgements
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drawing conclusions
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recognising and interpreting speakers’ views,
attitudes or intentions
Possible genres:
Lecture, briefing, talk, discussion, interview, telephone
conversation, announcement, instructions, advertisement, news, meeting,
documentary
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2 Speaking
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Candidates are assessed on
their ability to make individual presentations and to take part in group
discussions on a wide range of contemporary issues.
Assessment will cover the
following:
(i)
accuracy
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using grammatically correct language
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using correct pronunciation, stress and
intonation
(ii)
fluency
•
speaking with confidence and fluency
(iii) appropriacy
•
using language appropriate for the intended
purpose and audience
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using varied vocabulary and expressions
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using varied sentence structures
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observing conventions appropriate to a
specific situation
(iv) coherence and cohesion
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developing and organising ideas
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using appropriate markers and linking devices
•
using anaphora appropriately together with
other cohesive devices
(v)
use of
language functions
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defining, describing, explaining
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comparing and contrasting
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classifying
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giving reasons
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giving opinions
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expressing relationships
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making suggestions and recommendations
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expressing agreement and disagreement
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seeking clarification
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asking for and giving information
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persuading
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drawing conclusions
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stating and justifying points of view
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presenting an argument
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Component
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Test Specifications
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•
expressing relationships
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making suggestions and recommendations
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expressing agreement and disagreement
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seeking clarification
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asking for and giving information
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persuading
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drawing conclusions
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stating and justifying points of view
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presenting an argument
(vi)
managing a
discussion
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initiating
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turn-taking
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interrupting
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prompting
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negotiating
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closing
(vii) task fulfilment
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presenting relevant ideas
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providing adequate content
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showing a mature treatment of topic
Possible issues:
Socio-cultural, economic, science and technology, sports,
environment, education, health
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3 Reading
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Candidates are assessed on
their ability to comprehend various types of text of varying length and level
of complexity (content and language).
Assessment will cover the
following:
(i)
comprehension
•
skimming and scanning
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extracting specific information
•
identifying main ideas
•
identifying supporting details
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deriving the meaning of words, phrases,
sentences from the context
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understanding linear and non-linear texts
•
understanding relationships
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within a sentence
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between sentences
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recognising a paraphrase
(ii)
application
•
predicting outcomes
•
applying a concept to a new situation
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Component
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Test Specifications
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(iii) analysis
•
understanding language functions
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interpreting linear and non-linear texts
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distinguishing the relevant from the
irrelevant
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distinguishing fact from opinion
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making inferences
(iv) synthesis
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relating ideas and concepts
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within a paragraph
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between paragraphs
•
following the development of a point or an argument
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summarising information
(v)
evaluation
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appraising information
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making judgements
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drawing conclusions
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recognising and interpreting writers’ views,
attitudes or intentions
Possible genres:
Articles from journals, newspapers and magazines, academic
texts, electronic texts
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4 Writing
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Candidates are assessed on their ability to
write various types of text covering a range of rhetorical styles.
Assessment will cover the following:
(i)
accuracy
•
using correct spelling and mechanics
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using correct grammar
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using correct sentence structures
(ii)
appropriacy
•
using varied vocabulary and expressions
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using clear varied sentences
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using language appropriate for the intended
purpose and audience observing
conventions appropriate to a specific situation or text type
(iii) coherence and cohesion
•
developing and organising ideas
•
using appropriate markers and linking devices
•
using anaphora appropriately together with
other cohesive devices
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Component
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Test Specifications
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(iv) use of language functions
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defining, describing, explaining
•
comparing and contrasting
•
classifying
•
giving reasons
•
giving opinions
•
expressing relationships
•
making suggestions and recommendations
•
expressing agreement and disagreement
•
persuading
•
interpreting information from non-linear texts
•
drawing conclusions
•
stating and justifying points of view
•
presenting an argument
(v)
task
fulfilment
•
presenting relevant ideas
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providing adequate content
•
showing a mature treatment of topic
Possible genres:
Report, article, letter, essay
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