A、The tests have been standardized. B、The tests are taken via computers. C、The tests are about language speaking. D、The tests ar

Scores on English tests are very important to students around the world. In order to make sure that they do their best, both students and teachers should stay informed of how these tests are changing.
    Clive Roberts is a director at ELS Educational Services, one of the companies that train students in English. Mr. Roberts says the tests are changing greatly in response to the global growth in the use of English as a lingua franca—the common language used among people with different native languages. He says English "is one of the keys now to international student mobility. So, for that reason, a lot of new tests are being developed; old tests are being revised to meet the needs of universities and employers worldwide." In other words, students increasingly need English in order to study and work in other countries. So, schools and businesses are asking for more accurate tests.
    Mr. Roberts says several parts of standardized tests have changed recently. Now, many tests are given on computers. And tests measure all four skills of language learning: reading, listening, speaking and writing.
    "A lot of tests are now delivered online. All four skills are being tested, in some cases, by computer, in particular speaking and writing skills, which are the most difficult to assess on a computer environment."
    Computer testing will reduce the length of time required for testing, because the tests adjust to the test-taker’s ability. These computer-adaptive tests also increase accuracy in scoring. Computer-adaptive tests change depending on the test-taker’s responses. For this reason, the set of correct answers will be different for each test-taker.
    Another change to language testing relates to cultural sensitivity. The term refers to material on a test that is based on a certain culture or is hard for test-takers from different cultures to understand.
    Mr. Roberts says test development companies are now hiring people with intercultural communication backgrounds to review test items. The companies want to make sure the test does not upset test-takers. Having negative feelings may affect a student’s performance on the test.
    Such changes to English proficiency tests make them better at measuring the learners’ ability. However, Mr. Roberts says the changes may mean the tests are more difficult for some students.
    "The tests have become more proficiency-oriented. The items are being designed in such a way that they test real-world proficiency and not simply sort of an artificial environment or a specific set of skills that are taught in a classroom. So a lot of authentic texts, a lot of authentic listening passages are being used."
    The changes mean students have to be able to understand English the way it is used in everyday life, not just in textbooks.
    16. Why are the English tests changing greatly according to Mr. Robert?
    17. What is one of the changes of the English tests mentioned by Mr. Robert?
    18. What do the test development companies do to avoid cultural sensitivity?
    19. What kind of texts will probably be used in the proficiency-oriented tests?