[Solved]Language Usage Issue

superk · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:16 am

If someone says that they are:

Frank Yaeger · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:23 am

My opinion (as a Brooklyn/California English speaker) FWIW

"Writing a test" is the same as "taking a test" although "taking a test" would probably be the more common way to say it.

"Giving a test" is not the same as "taking a test". The instructor gives a test. The student takes a test.

William Thompson · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:37 am

Unless it's a small type from "given a test".....

Frank Yaeger · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:35 am

You mean "typo"? "given a test" rather than "giving a test"? Yes, that would change the meaning significantly.

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:24 am

just 2? from an E2L

"writing a test" designing, building, putting on paper the questions and answers, and the grades to assigned

"giving a test" distributing the test questions, replying to inquiries from people taking the test, collecting the replies, and maybe grading them

"taking a test" sitting i a very uncomfortable (usually) chair answering stupid questions, hoping to get a job out of them :-)

Frank Yaeger · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:26 pm

Interesting. I would say your definition of "writing a test" would fit more with "creating a test". Although I don't use "writing a test" to mean "taking a test" myself, I have heard other people use it that way. But "writing a test" could certainly be interpreted as "creating a test" as you say.

h.dinesh · New User Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 46 Location: Chennai

I have heard quite a few people saying either ?writing a test? or 'giving a test' when they actually meant to say 'taking a test'.

khamarutheen · Active Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 677 Location: NJ

Hi,

When will you write the test? - > Teacher asks the Student
When will you give the test? - > Student asks the teacher

h.dinesh · New User Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 46 Location: Chennai

superk · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:47 pm

So, if someone says that they're "writing a test" or "giving a test", I have no real way of knowing which end of the situation they're on - they might be the subject expert who's task is to create the test and then give it to students as a way to assess their knowledge of the subject matter - or, they might be the student who's knowledge is being assessed.

khamarutheen · Active Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 677 Location: NJ

Hi,

dick scherrer · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:56 pm

Hello,

If the student was to reply to this

khamarutheen · Active Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 677 Location: NJ

Hi,

When teacher asks a student "When will you write a test?" then it is the situation where the student may be absent on a particular test and the teacher just asks the student about the idea when he/she is planning to take the test !!! i have faced such a situation and i said my teacher that "i dont have time now mam" and she was laughing

as she is a cool teacher there was a cool reply ...

mcmillan · Site Admin Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 1210 Location: India