Alba Capdevila 1

Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

DESIGNING A TEST:
DESCRIPTION
HIGH SCHOOL
TEACHER
GRADE LEVEL
COMMON EUROPEAN
FRAMEWORK (CEF)
UNIT/BOOK
TIMING (term month and day)
TIMETABLE
KIND OF TEST
SKILLS
CONTENTS

TEST DIFFICULTY

IES Lo Pla dUrgell

Alba Capdevila i Miquel
2nd of ESO
A2 - way stage or elementary
Unit 7 Staying Alive from Real English
3rd term of the school year 2015-2016
50 minutes test
Achievement test
Vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing.
Grammar:
Present Perfect
Going to
Past Simple
inside the reading and writing
exercises
Vocabulary:
Express Emotions
Extreme Sports
The number of stars indicates the difficulty of the test:
1 star basic
2 stars standard

Alba Capdevila 2
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

STAYING ALIVE
Name: _________________________

Mark _____/100

Timing: 50 minutes.
Materials: No dictionary or any other material is permitted.
Instructions: Ask your questions at the beginning of the test. The points for each question are
indicated in brackets.
5 minutes: explanation of the test and possible questions
1. READING
1. Read the text. Then write true (T) or false (F) and justify the answers by marking
them on the text, underline where you found the answer. [10 minutes ]
(____ /15)

My 13-year-olds bucket list

Last summer, my daughter decided to write a bucket list of all the things she wants to do before turning 30. I
dont know where she got the idea, or how she learned about bucket lists. She told me that she had 35 wishes
on her list, but she wanted to keep the wishes in secret. However, the other night I went into her room to talk
to her about her fathers birthday, but she was already sleeping. I took advantage of the situation, because I
was too curious about her bucket list and I read it. Nowadays, the list has only a few wishes left; she has already
checked most of them! She seems decided to accomplish all her wishes.
Some of the things on her list surprised me, others scared me, but most of them pleased me. Her list reminded
me to live life to the fullest and keep a sense of adventure all along my life. Some of the wishes on her bucket
list were the following: (1) meet Marc Mrquez; (2) stay up all night; (3) throw a cake in someones face; (4)
practise scuba diving; (5) visit New York; (6) live; (7) east sushi. These wishes are some of the ones she hasnt
accomplished yet. In fact, she is going to accomplish the fifth this summer. My husband and I have decided to
spend our holidays in New York and celebrate her fathers birthday there.

a) The writer gave the girl the idea of writing a bucket list. ____
b) The writer has read the whole list. _____
c) The girl has checked all the wishes. _____
d) The writer is scared of all her daughters wishes. _____
e) The girl has been to New York. _____

Alba Capdevila 3
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

2. Read the text again. Then answer the questions, give long answers: [10
minutes] (____ / 23)
a) Has the girl kept the wishes in secret?
__________________________________________________
b) Has the girl ever thrown a cake in someones face?
__________________________________________________
c) Who wrote the text?
__________________________________________________
d) How many wishes did the girl has in her bucket list?
__________________________________________________
e) How old is the girl?
__________________________________________________
f) How did the writer feel when she read the wishes?
__________________________________________________
g) Why did the writer go into the girls room?
__________________________________________________
h) When are they going to New York?
__________________________________________________
i) Why are they going to New York?
__________________________________________________
3. Match. In the text you can find some vocabulary taught in the Unit. Can
you match the words with the appropriate category? [5minutes]
(____ / 12)
1. Positive emotions

2. Negative emotions

3. Water extreme sports

4. Mountain extreme sports

Hiking
Frustrated
Rafting
Rock-climbing
Scuba diving
Amused
Annoyed
Scared
Trail running
Pleased
Lonely
Satisfied

Alba Capdevila 4
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

4. WRITING
1. Write about your hypothetic bucket list. Follow the instructions:
[20 minutes]

(___ / 40)

Instructions:
You have to write down 2 things that you havent done yet, and you would like to do before
turning 30. In addition you have to write down 2 more things you have already done and you
are proud of, and explain how you felt when you realised them.
Write between 50 and 75 words.
Here you can find some questions in order to help you with your essay.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Have you ever been to Rome?

Have you ever practised bungee-jumping?
Have you ever won a race?
Have you ever been to a concert?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Alba Capdevila 5
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

STAYING ALIVE
Name: _________________________

Mark _____/100

Timing: 50 minutes.
Materials: No dictionary or any other material is permitted.
Instructions: Ask your questions at the beginning of the test. The points for each question are
indicated in brackets.
5 minutes: explanation of the test and possible questions
1. READING
1. Read the text. Then write true (T) or false (F) and justify the answers by marking
them on the text, underline where you found the answer. [10 minutes ]
(____ /15)

My 13-year-olds bucket list

Last summer, my daughter decided to write a bucket list of all the things she wants to do before turning 30. I
dont know where she got the idea, or how she learned about bucket lists. She told me that she had 35 wishes
on her list, but she wanted to keep the wishes in secret. However, the other night I went into her room to talk
to her about her fathers birthday, but she was already sleeping. I took advantage of the situation, because I
was too curious about her bucket list and I read it. Nowadays, the list has only a few wishes left; she has already
checked most of them! She seems decided to accomplish all her wishes.
Some of the things on her list surprised me, others scared me, but most of them pleased me. Her list reminded
me to live life to the fullest and keep a sense of adventure all along my life. Some of the wishes on her bucket
list were the following: (1) meet Marc Mrquez; (2) stay up all night; (3) throw a cake in someones face; (4)
practise scuba diving; (5) visit New York; (6) live; (7) east sushi. These wishes are some of the ones she hasnt
accomplished yet. In fact, she is going to accomplish the fifth this summer. My husband and I have decided to
spend our holidays in New York and celebrate her fathers birthday there.

a) The writer gave the girl the idea of writing a bucket list. ____
b) The writer has read the whole list. _____
c) The girl has checked all the wishes. _____
d) The writer is scared of all her daughters wishes. _____
e) The girl has been to New York. _____

Alba Capdevila 6
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

2. Read the text again. Then answer the questions: [10 minutes] (____ / 23)
a) Has the girl kept the wishes in secret?
__________________________________________________
b) Has the girl ever thrown a cake in someones face?
__________________________________________________
c) Who wrote the text?
a. A mum.
b. A daughter.
c. A husband.
d) How many wishes did the girl has in her bucket list?
a. 30
b. 35
c. 13
e) How old is the girl?
a. 30
b. 35
c. 15
f) How did the writer feel when she read the wishes?
a. Surprised, pleased, and curious.
b. Surprised, pleased, and scared.
c. Curious, surprised, and scared.
g) Why did the writer go into the girls room?
a. To check on her.
b. To read the bucket list.
c. To talk to her.
h) When are they going to New York?
a. On holidays.
b. This summer.
c. They are not going.
i) Why are they going to New York?
a. To celebrate her fathers birthday.
b. Because her daughter wanted to.
c. Because they are going on holidays.

Alba Capdevila 7
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

5.

6.

7.

8.

3. Match. In the text you can find some vocabulary taught in the Unit. Can
you match the words with the appropriate category? [5minutes]
(____ / 12)
Positive emotions
Hiking
Frustrated
Rafting
Negative emotions
Rock-climbing
Scuba diving
Amused
Water extreme sports
Annoyed
Scared
Trail running
Mountain extreme sports
Pleased
Lonely
Satisfied
2. WRITING
1. Write about your hypothetic bucket list. Follow the instructions:
[20 minutes]

(____ / 40)

Instructions:
You have to write down 2 things that you havent done yet, and you would like to do before
turning 30. In addition, you have to write down 2 more things you have already done and you
are proud of, and explain how you felt when you realised them.
Write between 30 and 60 words.
Here you can find some questions in order to help you with your essay.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Have you ever been to Rome?

Have you ever practised bungee-jumping?
Have you ever won a race?
Have you ever been to a concert?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Alba Capdevila 8
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Timing: I calculate the reading exercises will take 15-20 minutes, the vocabulary exercise 5
minutes, and the writing exercise other 20 minutes. The 5 minutes left are the ones devoted to
explain the test at the beginning of the lesson. All in all, the student should be able to comfortably
finish the test within 50 minutes.

1. Exercise 1: Reading Comprehension. If the student has understood the text he/she will
be able to answer the questions (true or false) properly. In addition, the student will also be
able to underline where the answer appears in the text.
1 point
2 points
(true or false)
(underline the answer on the text)
a. The writer gave the girl
F
I dont know where she got the idea.
the idea of writing a
bucket list.
A) b. The writer has read the
T
I was too curious about her bucket list and I
whole list.
read it.
c. The girl has checked all
F
Nowadays, the list has only a few wishes left;
the wishes.
she has already checked most of them!
d. The writer is scared of
F
Some of the things on her list surprised me,
all her daughters wishes.
others scared me, but most of them pleased
me.
e. The girl has been to New
F
Visit New York. *+These wishes are some of
York.
the ones she hasnt accomplished yet.
2. Exercise 2: Reading Comprehension. If the student has understood the text he/she will
be able to answer the questions properly.
The first two questions require a simple answer, they do not require any reflection from the
student, and this is why the answers arent given 3 points when the answer is correct. The
other questions are given 3 points when the answer is long and correct; 15 points if the answer
is correct but it is written in a short way; and 0 points if the student hasnt answered the
question or he/she has answered something else.

Has the girl kept

the wishes in
secret?
Has the girl ever
thrown a cake in
someones face?

0,5

No, she hasnt.

No

No answer or any other

answer.

No, she hasnt.

No

No answer or any other

answer.

Alba Capdevila 9
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

Who wrote the

text?
How many
wishes did the
girl has in her
bucket list?
How old is the
girl?

3
The daughter of the
writer (wrote the
text).
Or: A girl of 13 years
old (wrote the text).
She/the girl had 35
wishes on her list.

1,5

A girl or a daughter
(wrote the text).

No answer or any other

answer.

35 (wishes).

No answer or any other

answer.

She/the girl is 13
13 (years old).
years old.
The writer (or she)
was surprised,
scared and pleased
(when she read the
How did the
bucket list).
writer feel when
Surprised, scared and
Or: the writer (or
she read the
pleased.
she) felt surprised,
wishes?
scared and pleased
by the wishes,
(when she read the
bucket list).
Because she wanted
Why did the
to talk to her about To talk to her about her
writer go into
her fathers
fathers birthday.
the girls room?
birthday.
When are they
They are going to
going to New
New York this
In summer.
York?
summer.
Because they are
going to celebrate
her fathers birthday
Or: Because the girl had
Why are they
there.
the wish on her bucket
going to New
Or: Because her
list.
York?
father and mother
have decided to
spend the holidays
there.

No answer or any other

answer.

No answer or any other

answer.

No answer or any other

answer.
No answer or any other
answer.

No answer or any other

answer.

Alba Capdevila 10
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO

3. Exercise 3: Vocabulary: Match the words with the appropriate category. 1 point per
correct match.
Positive emotionsamused, pleased, satisfied.
Negative emotionsfrustrated, annoyed, scared, lonely
Water extreme sports rafting, scuba diving.
Mountain extreme sports hiking, rock-climbing, trail running
4. Writing: The purpose of the writing activity is to use the Present Perfect tense. The
students have to list 2 things that they want to do in a future; something that they
havent done, but they will do in a future. And list 2 more things that they have already
done and explain how they felt. The writing is going to be assessed according to the
following rubric:
8
The
writer
makes
no
errors
in
grammar
or
spelling
that
distract
the
reader from the
content.

6
The
writer
makes few (2-5)
grammatical or
spelling errors
that
dont
distract
the
reader from the
content.

4
The
writer
makes some (610)
grammatical or
spelling errors
that distract the
reader from the
content.

2
Points
The
writer
makes
more
than 10 errors
in grammar or
spelling
that
distract
the
reader from the
content.

The
writer
maintains focus
on
topic/subject.

The writer may

exhibit minor
lapses in focus
on
topic/subject.

The writer may

lose or may
exhibit major
lapses in focus
on
topic/subject.

The writer may

fail to establish
focus
on
topic/subject.

SPELLING
AND There are no
PUNCTUATION
spelling
or
punctuation
errors in the
final draft. The
feelings
and
experiences
that the writer
named
are
spelled
consistently
and
throughout.

There are less

than 5 spelling
or punctuation
errors in the
final draft.

There are 5-10

spelling
and
punctuation
errors in the
final draft.

The final draft

has more than
10 spelling and
punctuation
errors.

GRAMMAR

FOCUS ON TOPIC

Alba Capdevila 11
Unit 7 TEST: Staying alive, 2nd ESO
ACCURACY
OF All feelings or
FEELINGS
AND emotions
USE OF THE presented
in
PRESENT
the text are
PERFECT
accurate.
The use of the
Present Perfect
tense
is
appropriate.
REQUIREMENTS

All
of
the
written
requirements
(number
of
words
and
number
of
experiences)
were met.

Almost
all
feelings
or
emotions
presented
in
the text are
accurate
(minimum 3).
The
Present
Perfect tense is
appropriate.
Almost all the
written
requirements
were met. The
writer reached
the number of
words, but not
the amount of
experiences.

Most feelings or
emotions
presented
in
the text are
accurate
(minimum 2).
The
present
perfect tense is
misused.

The
feelings
and emotions
used
aren't
accurate at all.
They are too
general. There
is no use of the
Present Perfect
tense.

Almost all the Many

written
requirements
requirements
were not met.
were met. The
writer reached
the amount of
experiences,
but not the
number
of
words.

According to the criteria used to describe tests, I strongly believe that this achievement test is
valid, reliable and practical. The purpose of this test is to see if the students have assimilated
what they have been taught over the last unit and the previous. This is why the test has a clear
aim for the Present Perfect tense, but it still focuses on what has been already done in the
previous units (going to).
This test doesnt have a washback/backwash effect due to the characteristics of the test. The
test requires reflection; it goes beyond what has been taught in class. For instance, the
activities related to the text do not require a copy and paste from the text, and the writing
activity seeks to see the use of the grammar taught in class but in an indirect way. The students
have to practise the Present Perfect by writing a text.
5. Bibliography
Genny Heikka. (2013). Lessons from My 13-Year-Old's Bucket List. 17/02/2015, from divine
caroline Sitio web: http://www.divinecaroline.com/life-etc/lessons-my-13-year-olds-bucket-list.
University of Kansas. (2000-2008). Rubistar: Create Rubrics for your Project-Based Learning
Activities. 18/02/2015, from http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php.