Regional Test Writeshop, Region VI-Iloilo, Philippines

In Search for the Perfect Question

Drained. For a while my brain refused to work after a 3-day regional writeshop on test construction. Actually, all I did was produce 15 sample questions. Just 15 to complete the 60-item test. We were lucky to have 4 members in our group working for the English IV test. Hats off to my co-team. They have done much. Cheryl you're a superwoman!To ma'am Theresa you're so dedicated! And to sir Ramonit you're fast!

All I did was come up with 15 questions. Only this and I felt like a jell-o after! To think in school, we are used to doing a 50 or a 100-item test and usually it's done overnight.

I really wonder what sapped my energy. I couldn't blame it on the summer heat (it reaches 38 degrees here in our part of the world!) for we were housed in Grand Palace and the air conditioning expense must have cost the hotel some grand. We were even provided a room where we can take a nap after lunch. Speaking of lunch reminds me of the food, yes, the food - it just kept on coming! I wouldn't want the writeshop to end for this! (Guilty glutton!)

So what have I missed after my brain took a 3-day AWOL?

1. I missed updating the election results (Sta. Barbaranhons are you still interested?)

2. I missed writing $-worth articles (this I should never miss doing!)

3. I missed posting some new blogs (hmm, seems I'm doing one now)

4. I missed accounting KloksnetCafe (this I promised my brother)

Tonight, just an hour ago, I felt like my brain was revving up. But instead of starting with number 2 right away, (there's a $ in it *wink*) I was a little sidetracked with number 3 (oh, there's a bit of $ in it too!*double wink*). I need to shake this what-drained-my-energy-off thought, so,I'm writing about this. It's kind of putting a little grease on my brain to start its motor, speed up, accelerate and gain momentum. (oh physics, is my analogy logical?)

This done, I'm now ready to do #2.

Oh wait, here's a sample test item. For some reasons, I didn't include this in the file that we have submitted.

Which sentence has a prepositional phrase?

1. Don’t dare argue with Edison, but Nikola Tesla did just that
2. The purpose of the experiment is to create energy efficiency.
3. B only
4. A and B

Now, I hope this question will not drain your brain.