The assessment turn out to be questions on common, rudimentary use of English! I also wonder how effective is the test since it is administered online, without any form of supervision. For example, I was not quite sure which word can be best used to describe salt, pepper and sauces, so I looked up the definition of condiment on Google.
How simple to "cheat" and get answers online. Or even ask a friend to answer the questions.
If you are curious on what kind of questions is being asked, see below.
AssessmentSection: ConversationalInstruction: Please complete the conversations with appropriate remarksQuestions 1 to 10
1) Did you happen to come across the list of names I left here?I crossed out already.I am going to cross it soon.Yes, I happen.It is with me.
2) I answered all the questions pretty well!You are pretty too.Thanks for calling me pretty.What, you aren't well?That calls for a celebration.
3) Do you go to bed before ten?That's correct.It is 9pm now.Are you mad?I am not 10 yet.
4) Waiter, there is hair floating in my soup.Just remove it with a spoon.It's not my hair.Yes, I see that.Sorry, I'll get you another bowl.
5) The One-day Sale is on again tomorrow!Did you go?Why not?We'll take a long lunch break tomorrow.Only one day?
6) I hear you had a presentation today. Did you get the thumbs-up?Yes, bottoms up!Yes, I bombed it.Yes, my thumb was up.Thumb tacks?
7) Can you see me later at dinner?Farewell.I can't see well.Good night.Why not?
8) Do you know all the words in the list?I am glad you do.Yes, I do, how about you?How do you know?No, I do. Just like you.
9) Yum! What's that smell?Are you accusing me?Something nice of course.Don't look at me.Something bad of course.
10) Waiter, I asked for hot soup. This soup is cold.The soup got cold on the way.Cold soup is better than hot soup.I apologize. I'll get another one.Really?Questions 11 to 2011) The essay has been written in a coherent _____.approachmannerconductbehaviour
12) She was disappointed at not _____ the race today despite her record-breaking attempt.losingjoiningfinishingwinning
13) The panacea to all the country's economic woes is zero inflation. The word "panacea" can best be replaced with _____.methodwaystrategyremedy
14) Philip was caught _____ through the front door during school hours.squeakingflippingsneakingreserving
15) Illegal _____ has caused many forests to disappear worldwide.weedingseedingplantinglogging16) We must not be _____ citizens who dump rubbish indiscriminately.irresponsibleirregularpopularresponsible
17) Salt, sugar and pepper are known as _____.ingredientsspicescondimentssauces
18) The svelte movie star caught the attention of every film maker in town.The word "svelte" in the above sentence can best be replaced with _____.fashionableslenderskilfulunimpressive
19) The resort offers a range of eastern and western _____ delicacies.varietyculinarybudgetinferior
20) Pete is a talented singer who sings a wide _____ of songs.numberrepertoireamounttranscendenceQuestions 21 to 30 Time Left: 13:32 minute(s)21) _____ it looked like it was going to rain, I decided to take a raincoat along.SinceForAlthoughSo
22) I have _____ to finish my assignment.alreadyyetanytimestill
23) I am shocked that we have _____ cases of food poisoning in our school canteens.manymucha littlelittle
24) How _____ books have you read?a fewmanylittlemuch
25) Aedes mosquitoes _____ the carriers of the dengue virus.arewasiswere
26) Heather was warned _____ by her boss for shirking her duties.seriouswith sternsternsternly
27) The school football team arrived _____ bus.byoninwith
28) _____ is the highest building in the world today?HowWhyWhichWhen
29) The gentleman sitting by the window has fallen _____sleepingsleepyasleepsleep
30) I gave him some _____ this morning.adviceadviseadvisesadvicesSection: ComprehensionInstruction: Please answer all the questions belowQuestions 31 to 40
31) The price of food is soaring so the threat of hunger and malnutrition is growing. Millions of people worldwide are at risk and so an effective and urgent response is needed.Why is an effective and urgent response needed?To stop food prices from escalating.To stop malnutrition and feed the people.To feed people and stop them from being hungry.To reduce the food prices and stop hunger pangs.
32) Everyone was rushing for the sales at the hypermarket. It has become a yearly event.What is false?All hypermarkets were having sales.There is an annual sale at the hypermarket.Everyone was rushing to the hypermarket.There was a sale last year.
33) The computer gaming industry is growing by leaps and bounds throughout the world. Yet, industry experts are asking sceptically whether Malaysia has got what it takes to grab a piece of the cake.The industry experts are sceptical about _____The progress of the gaming industry.Malaysia's ability to grab the cake.the gaming industry in Malaysia.Malaysia's role in the world.
34) The cosy tone of Billy, Bob and Blair's exchanges reflects their decade-long friendship.This means that the three are _____ .are exchanging friendshipscomparing the tone of their voiceshaving a conversationare sitting on a cosy chair
35) Toyota reports that there is an increase in the sale of their cars in the year 2007, especially their Toyota Vios. The increase on this particular model is due to its fuel consumption which is very economical.What is true?There has been a decrease in the sales of Toyota cars in the year 2007.Many people prefer cars manufactured by Toyota.Many prefer the Vios due to its low fuel consumption.Many people prefer Toyota cars due to its economic fuel consumption.
36) After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the World Trade Centre in New York has become Ground Zero.This means that _____Fire razed the whole building.The ground became empty.The ground became zero.The whole building perished.
37) After the rubber tappers had used the specially designed knives to get the latex, it is important to send them to a factory quickly to prevent it from hardening. At the factories, water is added to make the latex thinner whilst formic acid is used to convert the latex into rubber.What is true?Water is added to latex to make it thicker.Rubber hardens when water is added to it.Latex is made into rubber with formic acid.Tappers use special knives to make rubber.
38) Many tourists like to visit the High Mountain Waterfalls as it is a fascinating spot. Its unspoilt natural beauty offers tourists a great experience. Tourists bring home with them memories that last a lifetime.Which is not true?Many tourists enjoy the experience of going to the waterfalls.Many tourists go back with wonderful memories.Many tourists bring home lifetime souvenirs with them.Many tourists like the waterfalls because it is untouched.
39) The much taken for granted Brussels sprouts is actually a vegetable which has cancer preventing properties. Scientists have discovered that this vegetable, if consumed regularly, keep this dangerous disease away.Which statement is true?Brussels sprouts have cancer-causing agents.Brussels sprouts are not vegetables.Brussels sprouts should not be eaten regularly.Brussels sprouts can help prevent cancer.
40) Known as soldiers who never sleep, anti-personnel landmines are deadly military weapons that kill 25,000 victims annually, the majority of whom are civilians.What is false?Landmines are known as soldiers who never sleep.25,000 civilians die annually because of landmines.The annual death-toll rate of landmines is 25,000.Landmines are deadly military weapons.
Don't you think it is reasonable that anyone who has passed SPM to have perfect scores, perhaps with a mistake or two. These are really conversational English with basic grammar rules.
If it matters, here is my result. Inferring from the percentile I am in, I am surprised that there are not many more people who obtained perfect scores. We can also infer that exposure to an English-speaking country such as Australia does help to improve the level of English proficiency.
Your result:Total Questions Attempted: 40Total Questions Correct: 40 (Conversational:10; Vocabulary:10; Grammar:10; Comprehension:10)Publish to FacebookSee how you performed compared to other test takers:You did better than:-99% of all other test takers.99% of test takers from Malaysia.99% of test takers from Malaysia who are specialized in IT/Computer - Software.99% of test takers from Malaysia who are in the position of Senior Executive.99% of test takers from Malaysia who are with Bachelor's Degree certification.99% of test takers from Malaysia who studied Computer Science/Information Technology.97% of test takers from Malaysia who graduated in Australia.99% of test takers from Selangor, Malaysia.
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If you are an employer hiring on Jobstreet, please do not bother with assessing the level of English proficiency online. There are just so many ways to cheat. If your advertised role require English proficiency, a simple way to filter out is by reading the candidate's resume or cover letter.
Really, employers should not discriminate a candidate based on her English proficiency, unless it is for a role that requires it, such as customer service or translator.
If you are an employer hiring on Jobstreet, please do not bother with assessing the level of English proficiency online. There are just so many ways to cheat. If your advertised role require English proficiency, a simple way to filter out is by reading the candidate's resume or cover letter.
Really, employers should not discriminate a candidate based on her English proficiency, unless it is for a role that requires it, such as customer service or translator.
