Test
/tɛst/
nounverbA2
Definition
A test is an activity or set of questions designed to check how much someone knows or how well something works. It can be a school exam, a medical check, or trying out a new product to see if it is good. When used as a verb, it means to check or try something to find out information.
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See It in Action
A set of questions or tasks to measure knowledge or ability
- •I have a math test tomorrow at school.
- •The teacher gave us a test on the new vocabulary words.
- •Students feel nervous before an important test.
An action to check how something works or its quality
- •They tested the new car to see if it is safe.
- •The doctor tested my blood to find out if I am healthy.
- •We need to test the software before using it.
(Verb) To try or check something to get information
- •The scientist tested the water for pollution.
- •Please test the light switch to see if it works.
- •We tested the recipe before serving it at the party.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "test" like "check," but more formal and often with questions or tasks to measure ability or quality.
- ✓Picture a classroom where students answer questions to show what they have learned.
- ✓It's the feeling of nervousness or challenge when you try to prove your skills or knowledge.
- ✓Sounds like "test" → imagine a teacher saying "Test time!" and students preparing to answer.
- ✓Think of a doctor testing your temperature to see if you are sick.
- ✓NOT like "play" (fun and no pressure), a test is more serious and has a goal to find out something.
- ✓NOT like "practice" (to get better), a test is to see what you already can do or how well something works.
- ✓NOT like "game" (for fun), a test is to measure or check, often with right or wrong answers.
Try Other Words
- •Exam: a formal test, usually in school (Use when talking about school or official knowledge tests)
- •Trial: a try or experiment to see how something works (Use when testing products or ideas)
- •Assessment: a way to measure skills or knowledge (Use in more formal or professional contexts)
- •Check: a quick look or simple test (Use when the test is simple or informal)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root word "test" (no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: from Latin "testari," meaning to bear witness or give proof
- •Historical development: originally meant to give proof or evidence; later used for exams and trials
- •Modern usage: common word for exams, checks, and trying things to see how they work or what is true
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when you take a test? Does it help you learn or make you nervous?
•Can something be tested without a formal test? How do you check if something is good in daily life?
Fill in the blanks
1.Before the big exam, the teacher gave us a test to ___ our knowledge of the topic.
2.The doctor tested the patient’s ___ to find out if he had a fever.
3.Unlike playing a game, a test usually has right or wrong ___.
4.We need to test the new phone carefully to ___ if all buttons work well.
5.Sometimes people feel ___ before taking a test because they want to do well.
6.The software was tested ___ before the company released it to customers.
7.A test is different from practice because practice helps you improve, but a test ___ what you already know.