Kathy Carter’s Testwiseness Study: Results and Comments

1. Kathy Carter’s Testwiseness Study: Results and Comments Note: Items 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 are from the article, “Test-wiseness for teachers and students,” Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, Winter, 1986, 20-23. Items 3, 6, and 8 were developed by M. Olson, 1988.

2. Item No. 1 Debbie is probably how old? a. 6. b. 7. c. 8. d. 9.

3. Item No. 2 The main theme of the story is based on a conflict concerning Debbie’s desire a. for rain. b. to believe that supernatural powers do not influence people and her fear that curses may be impossible. c. to watch television. d. to be grown.

4. Item No. 3 What factor in Debbie’s background had an effect on the story’s conclusion? a. She never talks to strangers. b. She always eats peanuts. c. She likes all girls with freckles. d. She usually enjoys reading fiction.

5. Item No. 4 The mystical tone established in this excerpt is best described as a. humorous. b. mysterious. c. sarcastic. d. ironic.

6. Item No. 5 This passage could be categorized as a a. expository passage. b. narrative passage. c. idealistic passage. d. explanatory passage.

7. Item No. 6 The best time of the year to read this story is a. on a Wednesday. b. on July 24th. c. at nine o’clock in the morning. d. on Halloween.

8. Item No. 7 The setting of this story, a stormy night, is a. unimportant because you can read on any kind of night. b. unimportant because the next door neighbors are at home. c. unimportant because Debbie does not fear storms. d. important because it adds to the things that are frightening Debbie.

9. Item No. 8 Among the explanations for the conflict experienced by Debbie is a a. fight with her friend over a low test score. b. desire to buy a new outfit for the school picnic. c. dislike for anything involving reading. d. memory of an event occurring early in her childhood.