2013年12月起英语四、六级考试题型将有4大调整

Title: A Comprehensive Overview of the 2013 December English CET-4 and CET-6 Exam Format Adjustments

Introduction:

The College English Test (CET) has been a crucial part of the English proficiency assessment system in China for decades. As the demand for English proficiency in various fields continues to rise, the Chinese Ministry of Education has announced significant adjustments to the CET-4 and CET-6 exam format starting from December 2013. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these adjustments, highlighting the key changes and their implications for test-takers.

I. Background:

The CET-4 and CET-6 exams, conducted twice a year, are widely recognized as a benchmark for English proficiency among Chinese college students. However, with the evolving language skills required in the globalized world, the exam format needed to be updated to better reflect the real-life language use scenarios. As a result, the Ministry of Education announced the adjustments to the exam format in 2013, aiming to enhance the test's validity and applicability.

II. Major Adjustments:

1. Listening Section:

The listening section has been expanded from 25% to 35% of the total score, emphasizing the importance of listening skills in English communication. The new format introduces more diverse types of listening materials, including dialogues, monologues, and news reports. Additionally, the test-takers are expected to answer questions based on the main idea, details, and inference, rather than simply identifying keywords.

2. Reading Section:

The reading section has also been adjusted to better assess the test-takers' reading comprehension skills. The passage types now include a variety of genres, such as narratives, expository texts, and argumentative essays. The questions in this section require test-takers to analyze the content, evaluate the author's purpose, and draw conclusions based on the given information.

3. Writing Section:

The writing section has been restructured to focus on the test-takers' ability to express their thoughts clearly and coherently. The new format consists of two parts: a short writing task (100 words) and a long writing task (120-150 words). The short writing task requires test-takers to complete a task, such as writing a summary, a letter, or a notice, while the long writing task involves writing an essay based on a given topic or a graph.

4. Translation Section:

The translation section has been revised to include both Chinese-to-English and English-to-Chinese translation tasks. The Chinese-to-English translation focuses on the translation of a given passage, while the English-to-Chinese translation involves translating a set of given sentences or a paragraph. This adjustment aims to improve the test-takers' ability to translate both formal and informal English.

III. Implications for Test-takers:

1. Emphasize Listening and Reading Skills:

With the increased weight of the listening and reading sections, test-takers are encouraged to strengthen their language skills in these areas. Regular practice with authentic English materials, such as news broadcasts, podcasts, and academic articles, is essential to improve listening and reading abilities.

2. Focus on Critical Thinking and Analysis:

The revised format requires test-takers to think critically and analyze the content of the reading materials. Developing strong analytical skills will enable test-takers to answer the questions accurately and efficiently.

3. Enhance Writing and Translation Skills:

The writing and translation sections now emphasize the ability to express thoughts coherently and accurately. Test-takers should practice writing essays and translating various types of texts to improve their writing and translation skills.

4. Stay Informed about the Exam Format:

It is crucial for test-takers to stay informed about the latest exam format and prepare accordingly. Familiarizing themselves with the new question types and practicing with past exam papers can help them adapt to the changes effectively.

Conclusion:

The adjustments to the CET-4 and CET-6 exam format starting from December 2013 reflect the evolving demands of English proficiency in today's world. By focusing on listening, reading, writing, and translation skills, test-takers can better prepare for the challenges of the new format and improve their overall English proficiency. Staying informed and adapting to the changes will ultimately lead to better performance in the exams and enhance their language skills for future success.