Test Preparation Booklet for the English Language Proficiency Test - Revised 2006

Sep 30, 2026

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Test Preparation Booklet for the English Language Proficiency Test (UWI Mona Campus) provides an overview of the test purpose for undergraduate applicants, including assessment focus on academic writing and reading proficiency. It explains the test format and timing across Grammar, Reading, and Writing sections, including specimen grammar and reading questions with instructions and answer keys. Guidance covers task requirements for essay and numerical-data descriptions, alongside sections on critical reading and the essay writing process.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages47

Reading Time1 h 58 min

AccessFree to download

Test Structure / Content

Mark Scheme: Writing Tasks

Sample Student Responses / Examiner’s Evaluations

The Essay Writing Process

Critical Reading

Grammar

Specimen Questions

Reading

Reading-Specimen Question

Questions

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES Mona Campus The English Language Proficiency Test Unit Department of Language, Linguistics & Philosophy Test Preparation Booklet for the ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST Revised 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE (S) Test Structure / Content ………………………………………………. 1 – 5 Mark Scheme: Writing Tasks ………………………………………. 6 – 10 Sample Student Responses / Examiner’s Evaluations ………………. 11 – 22 The Essay Writing Process ………………………………............. 23 – 36 Critical Reading ……………………………………………………….. 37 – 45 Revised 2006 The English Language Proficiency Test The English Language Proficiency Test is used to assess whether persons applying to pursue undergraduate degree programmes at the UWI Mona campus possess a satisfactory level of writing and reading proficiency in English for academic purposes. Applicants’ test results will be taken into consideration by individual faculties before offers of entry are made. About the Test The test lasts for approximately three hours and consists of the following sections: Section A – Grammar (Time allowed: 40 mins.) Candidates will be required to answer alternative/multiple choice questions on any or all ofthe following: • Grammar of the Simple Sentence • Grammar of Complex/Compound Sentences • Idiomatic Usage (diction & structures) • Writing Mechanics & Spelling Candidates will NOT be tested on their knowledge of formal grammar but on their ability to distinguish between correct and incorrect structures. Section B – Reading (Time Allowed: 40 mins.) Candidates will be required to read one or more passages and to answer alternative/multiple choice questions on any or all ofthe following: • Main &/or secondary ideas • Literal and figurative meaning • Explicit and implicit meaning • Writer’s primary intention/attitude/tone • Organizational structure (paragraph/text) Section C – Writing (2 Tasks – Time allowed: 80 mins.) Task 1 (45 mins.) This will require candidates to write a 300 word essay in which they provide information and ideas on a topic of general interest. Task 2 (35 mins.) This will require candidates to write approximately 250 words describing numerical data contained in a table or in a graphical illustration. (N.B. 15 mins. of the duration of the test will be reserved for test administration) Revised 2006 Grammar Specimen Questions Instructions: For each question, select the correct answer and shade in with your pencil the box on your answer sheet that corresponds to the number of the answer selected. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so if you cannot decide between the choices, make an intelligent guess and move on quickly. a) Grammar of the Simple Sentence Each of the boys a haircut. 1. need 2. needs b) Grammar of Complex/Compound Sentences He asked her what doing. 1. she was 2. was she c) Idiomatic Usage (diction) We in the Caribbean do not pay sufficient to environmental issues. 1. attention 2. noticed) Idiomatic Usage (structures) At thirteen, a girl is really not capable a baby. 1. to look after 2. of looking after e) Writing Mechanics An animal will use body to show emotions. [1. it](1. it)’s 2. its Answer Key for Grammar Specimen Questions: a) Ans. 2 d) Ans. 2 b) Ans. 1 e) Ans. 2 c) Ans. 1 Revised 2006 Reading-Specimen Question Instructions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the accompanying alternative/multiple choice questions. For each question, shade with your pencil the box on the answer sheet that corresponds to the number of the answer selected. The status of the author is not what it was. Society, as people say, takes a dimmer view of him than it used to do. Possibly authors themselves are not what they were. It is an argument easy to use, and we often meet it. But it misses the point, even if we are now nothing but so many scribbling midgets. If there arose among us a young novelist who 5 was a greater geniu

FAQs

What is the purpose of the English Language Proficiency Test for UWI Mona applicants?

The test assesses whether applicants for undergraduate degree programmes have a satisfactory level of English writing and reading proficiency for academic purposes. Faculty decisions may consider test results before offers are made.

How is the test organized and how much time is allowed for each section?

The test lasts about three hours and includes Grammar (40 mins), Reading (40 mins), and Writing (2 tasks, 80 mins total). An additional 15 mins is reserved for test administration.

What are the two writing tasks and what do candidates need to produce?

Task 1 requires a 300-word essay providing information and ideas on a general interest topic. Task 2 requires about 250 words describing numerical data presented in a table or graphical illustration.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by acoobca