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SLE-Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language
Information for Candidates
(F653)
(Please note that this test replaces the 80-item SLE-Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language. The test has been reduced from 80 items to 65 items and the test administration time has been reduced from 100 minutes to 90 minutes.)
Description
The SLE-Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language (French) assesses knowledge of grammar, structure, usage, and other aspects of written expression that are necessary to perform writing tasks dealing with work-related situations.
This test has a new feature enabling you to choose the official language (French or English) in which you want to read or receive the test instructions. However, the sample questions are presented in French only.
In this test, you are presented with a number of texts (e-mail, notes, memoranda, letters, information bulletins, excerpts from reports, research papers). Your task is to read each text carefully and respond to the questions by selecting the best answer to each question.
There are a total of 65 multiple-choice questions of three different types in this test:
- Fill in the blank;
- Error identification and correction;
- Editing the text.
Your proficiency level is determined by your raw score on the test. The raw score you receive on this test reflects the number of items you answered correctly. For example, if you answered 46 questions correctly, your raw score would be 46.
| Levels | Raw Scores |
|---|---|
| Exemption | 57 - 65 |
| Level C | 47 - 56 |
| Level B | 33 - 46 |
| Level A | 21 - 32 |
| X | 0 - 20 |
You will have 90 minutes to complete the test, in addition to 20-30 minutes for administration. Please arrive in plenty of time before the test session, as you will NOT be allowed into the room after testing has begun.
Your results on the SLE-Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language will be sent to you soon after you have taken the test. To obtain information about administrative or testing procedures, contact the responsible officer in the organization that requested your test.
Writing Abilities for Levels A, B, and C
The SLE-Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language evaluates all general proficiency levels required for bilingual positions in the federal public service.
Level A
Ability to write very limited units of information; ability to write isolated words, phrases, simple statements or questions on very familiar topics using words of time, place or person.
Level B
Ability to write short descriptive or factual texts; ability to write with sufficient mastery of grammar and vocabulary to deal with explicit information on work-related topics.
Level C
Ability to write explanations or descriptions in a variety of informal and formal work-related situations; ability to write texts in which the ideas are developed and presented in a coherent manner; ability to write texts in which vocabulary, grammar and spelling are generally appropriate and require few corrections.
An exemption from further second language testing in the writing skill will be granted to persons who obtain a score high enough that they need not be tested again.
Testing Information
What to bring
Bring one piece of signature identification with photo, and your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) if you are a government employee.
Do you need special test arrangements because of a disability?
If so, please notify the responsible officer in the organization that requested your test well in advance of the test date so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you have a disability that could affect your performance on the test, you have the right to request that adapted measures be put in place.
Tips
Prepare for the test
Review French vocabulary and grammar and write short work-related texts (for example, simple statements or short letters, memoranda, or reports) and discuss them with Francophones and others who are highly proficient in French.
Answer the questions in the order they are presented
The questions in the test are generally ordered by level of difficulty. To maximize your score, answer as many of the easier questions as possible. Read the entire question before answering it and eliminate answer choices you know are wrong.
Budget your time
Try to answer all of the questions but do not spend too much time on a difficult question. You will have 90 minutes to complete the test, excluding administration time.
Review the example questions
Take time to familiarize yourself with the example questions prior to writing the test. Example questions are found below.
Example Questions
There are three types of questions in this test:
- Fill in the blank;
- Error identification and correction;
- Editing the text.
The following example questions are similar to those found in the SLE-Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language.
Type 1: Fill in the blank - For this type of question, you are presented with a text containing a number of blanks. For each blank, you must choose the word or group of words that completes the text correctly from among the four answers provided.
EXAMPLE:
De : Marc Paquette
À : Liste du personnel du ministère
Objet : Réservation des salles de conférences
_____________________________________________________| Il va à l'encontre d' | politique de | |
| 1. |
procéder à la réservation des salles de conférences
plusieurs mois à l'avance.
Merci!
1.
- une nouvel
- un nouveau
- un nouvel
- une nouvelle
The correct answer to Question 1 is (4).
Type 2: Error identification and correction - For this type of question, you are presented with a text in which words or groups of words have been underlined. For each underlined word or group of words, your task is to determine if a correction is needed. If no correction is needed, choose answer (1) (No correction). If a correction is needed, choose the best answer from among the three other answers provided.
EXAMPLE:
De : Susanne Montreuil
À : Liste des gestionnaires du ministère
Objet : Soumission des propositions pour le congrès international
__________________________________________________| Le prochain congrès international se tiendra | au | Las Vegas |
| 2. |
du 25 au 28 juin prochain.
| Si vous avez l'intention de soumettre un | projet, | vous |
| 3. |
êtes prié d'envoyer votre demande à mon bureau, au plus
tard le 6 décembre.
2.
- aucune correction
- à
- en
- dans le
The correct answer to Question 2 is (2).
3.
- aucune correction
- project
- projèt
- projes
The correct answer to Question 3 is (1).
Type 3: Editing the text - For this type of question, you are presented with a text containing errors and blanks. Your task is to read the text carefully and answer the questions that follow the text. For each question, choose the best answer from among the four answers provided.
EXAMPLE:
Extrait d'un rapport
- Dans un discours prononcé dans l'assemblée générale annuelle de l'Association canadienne de l'hydroélectricité à Gatineau, au Québec, le ministre de l'Environnement a souligné les initiatives visant à encourager les producteurs d'énergie renouvelable, les particuliers ainsi que les entreprises, à réduire leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre tout en augmentant les occasions d'affaires.
- _______________,le gouvernement se penche sur les règles à mettre en place pour permettre aux producteurs d'énergie renouvelable, tels que les fabricants d'hydroélectricité et les entrepreneurs du domaine éolien, d'obtenir des crédits de réduction d'émissions pour les nouveaux projets et de vendre ces crédits à l'agence du Fonds pour le climat ou encore, aux industries qui atteindraient des objectifs fixés de réduction des émissions.
- Le Canada est le plus gros producteur d'énergie hydroélectrique au monde. Les deux tiers de son électricité sont produits par force hydraulique, ce qui en fait sa principale source d'électricité. Des projets d'énergie éoliennes sont également proposées, approuvées et élaborées, ce qui crée une nouvelle source d'énergie non fossile.
4.
Quelle section de phrase du paragraphe A contient une ou plusieurs erreurs?
- « dans l'assemblée générale annuelle »
- « les initiatives visant à encourager »
- « leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre »
- aucun des choix offerts
The correct answer to Question 4 is (1).
5.
Quel groupe de mots doit-on insérer dans l'espace en blanc du paragraphe B?
- Au prime abord
- Par exemple
- De préalable
- En titre d'exemple
The correct answer to Question 5 is (2).
6.
Lequel des choix suivants comporte un ou plusieurs changements permettant d'améliorer la troisième phrase du paragraphe C?
- « Des projets d'énergie éolien sont également proposés, approuvés et élaborés, ce qui cré une nouvelle source d'énergie non fossile. »
- « Des projets d'énergie éolienne sont également proposés, approuvés et élaborés, ce qui crée une nouvelle source d'énergie non fossile. »
- « Des projets d'énergie éoliens sont également proposé, approuvé et élaboré, ce qui cré une nouvelle source d'énergie non fossile. »
- aucun des changements suggérés
The correct answer to Question 6 is (2).
Retest Period - There is a 30 day waiting period before you can rewrite the test. Should you wish to take this test again, you must wait until after the retest period indicated for this test has elapsed. Should you rewrite the test before the retest period has elapsed, your result will not be valid and a new retest period will be imposed from the new test date.
