A Study Of The Functions Of Free-Response Questions In National Matriculation English Test

The reform in the National Matriculation English Test made its first move in 1985. Guangdong Province as an experimental unit began to hold Standardized English Test in the first two years. In 1987, the Test spread all over the country. The whole reform covered three periods from its first show. They are MET Experimental Period (1987-1992), NMET Developmental Period (1993-1995), and NMET Maturational Period (1996- ). lii research of the three Periods, we discovered a fundamental fact: set-response questions gradually spare room for free-response questions in NMET. It shows clearly that free 梤esponse questions are more and more important in NMET structure. So, the writer naturally showed special interest in their functions. After a careful research of MET and NMET structure, the writer discovered the four big functions of free-response questions in NMET, namely, guiding function, cultivating function, evaluating function and activating function. Each function can reflect the original structure of flee 梤esponse questions. Meanwhile, the writer made a deep analysis as for duality of these four functions. Specifically speaking, they are guiding function and cultivating function with positive and negative direction, evaluating function with all-sidedness and one-sidedness, and activating function with effectiveness and ineffectiveness. In order to develop these functions and lessen their negative influence, the w-riter puts forward an idea that to optimize the structure of NMET is the only way to develop these functions effectively. The thesis comes up with a series of measures and methodologies as follows: all-rounded linguistic abilities demanded (reading-. writing-~ listening and speaking) qualities of the questions increased (cultivation-. emotion and culture) .. the rate of free-response questions enlarged and the forms of free-response questions enriched. And the thesis brings up a new NM7ET structure based on the previous and present NMET structure. The new NMET structure may give a light in testing and evaluating all-rounded abilities of the examinees as language learners, and it helps to implement quality-oriented education in middle school English teaching and also it helps universities to select talents.