Study Guide

Field 058: World Languages—Latin
Sample Oral Reading Assignment

The following materials contain:

General Directions

This test consists of six sections: (1) an oral reading section in which you will record your reading of a passage in the target language presented on the screen, (2) a language structures section in which you will complete grammatical exercises in the target language, (3) a reading section in which you will read a passage in the target language and write a response in English based on your comprehension of the passage, (4) a multiple-choice section in which you will read passages in the target language and respond to reading comprehension questions presented on the screen, and you will also respond to questions on language acquisition, instruction, and assessment, (5) a cultural understanding section in which you will write a response in English to an assignment on a target language related cultural topic, and (6) a writing assignment in which you will translate English sentences into the target language. The directions for each section appear immediately before that section.

For sections containing multiple-choice questions, read each question and answer choice carefully, and choose the ONE best answer. You should answer all questions. Even if you are unsure of an answer, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all.

Directions for the Oral Reading Assignment

Note: These are the directions you will see during the operational test. In this study guide, your response will not be recorded, and you will not see a Recorded Answer box.

For this section of the test you will read aloud a passage in Latin that will be presented on the screen. You will have five minutes to practice reading the passage presented on the screen and then have three minutes to record your reading of the passage by speaking into a microphone. Your oral reading must be in Latin (classical or ecclesiastical pronunciation.) Once recording has begun, it cannot be stopped, nor can you re-record your response.

Your oral reading will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

The oral reading assignment passage and a Recorded Answer box will appear on the next screen. A sample of the Recorded Answer box appears below.

When you are ready, click Next and begin reading the oral reading assignment passage. The Recorded Answer box will count down the time until recording begins. You will have 5 minutes to practice reading the assignment. Be sure not to begin speaking until the status on the Recorded Answer box changes to read the number of seconds remaining.

You will then have 3 minutes to complete your oral reading of the passage in Latin. You can monitor your time remaining by referring to the Recorded Answer box. The time will count down from 180 seconds (3 minutes) and the status bar will fill as time progresses.

When your time is up, the current status on the Recorded Answer box will change to "completed" indicating the conclusion of the oral reading section of the test. Once the status in the Recorded Answer box changes to "completed," select the Next button to continue with the remainder of the test. Do not click Next until you have finished recording your response.

You will have only ONE opportunity to record your oral reading. Select the Next button when you have finished reading these directions and are ready to begin the oral reading section of the test. Be sure you have your headset on and that the microphone is in a downward position near your mouth before proceeding. Once you select the Next button, the timed assignment will begin and you WILL NOT be able to return to these directions.

Sample Oral Reading Assignment

Objective 0007
Presentational and Interpersonal Communication Skills (Standard 4)

This is an oral reading assignment. You will have 5 minutes to practice reading the passage below. When the current status on the Recorded Answer box automatically changes to "time remaining," begin reading the passage aloud at a normal speed, with attention to elisions and meter, and with appropriate pronunciation. Your oral reading will not be evaluated on the basis of its dramatic qualities. You may use either classical or ecclesiastical pronunciation, but whichever you choose, you should use it consistently. You may take up to 3 minutes to complete your reading. Monitor your preparation and recording time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. You may begin practicing reading the passage now.

                         "Nōn ulla labōrum,
ō virgō, nova mī faciēs inopīnave surgit;
omnia praecēpī atque animō mēcum ante perēgī.
ūnum ōrō: quandō hīc īnfernī iānua rēgis
dīcitur et tenebrōsa palūs Acheronte refūsō,
īre ad cōnspectum cārī genitōris et ōra
contingat; doceās iter et sacra ostia pandās.
Illum ego per flammās et mille sequentia tēla
ēripuī hīs umerīs mediōque ex hoste recēpī;
ille meum comitātus iter maria omnia mēcum
atque omnīs pelagīque minās caelīque ferēbat,
invalidus, vīrīs ultrā sortemque senectae."

(Vergil, Aeneid VI.103–114)

Sample Strong Response to the Oral Reading Assignment

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate the ability to read aloud a passage of poetry in Latin using appropriate vocal inflection, phrasing, pronunciation, and metrical expression. A strong response of the read-aloud of the Latin excerpt would be an oral reading delivered with an awareness of the meaning of the text, varying the vocal inflection, rate, and metrical expression to produce a spoken rhythm that matches the sense of the text. Words would be articulated accurately with appropriate pronunciation, proper stress, and attention to elisions. The reader would consistently group words that are linked syntactically and semantically and the reading would have accurate placement and duration of pauses with few hesitations or stumbles over words. The passage would be read at a normal speed with a fluency and ease of expression that demonstrates an appreciation of the phrasing of sentences and clauses. Overall, expressiveness in the reading would reflect an accurate understanding of the meaning and mood of the passage.

Performance Characteristics for the Oral Reading Assignment

The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the oral reading assignment.

Pronunciation Appropriateness of the articulation of individual sounds and words
Phrasing Accuracy of the placement and duration of pauses and appropriateness of the grouping and phrasing of syntactic constructions
Rhythm Appropriateness of rate and tone of speech in accordance with the sense and meter of the text
Fluency Coherence and ease of expression
Expressiveness Accuracy of comprehension of the meaning and mood of the text

Scoring Scale for the Oral Reading Assignment

Scores will be assigned to each response to the oral reading assignment according to the following scoring scale.

Score Point Score Point Description
4 The "4" response reflects a strong level of skill in oral reading.
  1. The candidate pronounces almost all words accurately and consistently, with proper elisions and syllabic stress.
  2. The candidate consistently groups words that are linked syntactically and semantically. Placement and duration of pauses are accurate.
  3. The candidate appropriately varies rate and vocal tone to produce a spoken rhythm that matches the sense and meter of the text.
  4. The candidate rarely stumbles, reading the text as whole phrases and clauses rather than as isolated words.
  5. The candidate demonstrates comprehension and the ability to express the meaning and mood of the text.
3 The "3" response reflects a general level of skill in oral reading.
  1. The candidate pronounces most words accurately and consistently, generally with proper elisions and syllabic stress. Some word, syllable, elision, and/or stress inaccuracies may be present.
  2. The candidate generally groups words that are linked syntactically and semantically. Pauses are generally placed and timed accurately.
  3. The candidate generally varies rate and vocal tone to produce a spoken rhythm that matches much of the sense and meter of the text.
  4. The candidate stumbles occasionally, reading much of the text as whole phrases and clauses, but may isolate a few words.
  5. The candidate demonstrates general comprehension and some ability to express the meaning and mood of the text.
2 The "2" response reflects a limited level of skill in oral reading.
  1. The candidate pronounces some words accurately and consistently. Improper elision and stress placement and omission and/or confusion of syllables are frequent.
  2. The candidate sometimes groups words that are linked syntactically and semantically. Placement and duration of pauses are often inappropriate or random.
  3. The candidate only occasionally varies rate and vocal tone. The spoken rhythm only occasionally matches the sense and meter of the text.
  4. The candidate stumbles frequently, reading a portion of the text as whole phrases and clauses, but isolating many words.
  5. The candidate demonstrates partial comprehension and a limited ability to express the meaning and mood of the text.
1 The "1" response reflects little or no skill in oral reading.
  1. The candidate pronounces few or no words accurately, regularly omits and/or confuses syllables and elisions, and places stress improperly.
  2. The candidate rarely or never groups words that are linked syntactically or semantically. Pauses are placed and timed inaccurately and randomly.
  3. The candidate rarely, if ever, varies rate and vocal tone to match the sense and meter of the text.
  4. The candidate reads the text as little more than a string of isolated words, hesitating and stumbling throughout.
  5. The candidate demonstrates little or no comprehension or ability to express the meaning and mood of the text.
U The response is unrelated to the assigned topic, unintelligible or inaudible, or not primarily in the required language.
B There is no response to the assignment.