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Study Guide

Field 102: Arabic (Modern Standard)
Language Comparisons

Sample Directions for Language Comparisons

This section of the test contains one constructed response assignment that requires you to compare and contrast a given element of English with that element in the target language. You will prepare a written response to the assignment.

Your response may be written in either English or the target language. If you choose to respond in English, type your response in the response box presented on-screen. If you choose to respond in the target language, your final response must be written on the response sheet provided. Please label your response sheet with the appropriate exercise ("Language Comparisons"). Your response sheet must be scanned using the scanner provided at your workstation.

Instructions for scanning your Response Sheet are available by clicking the "Scanning Help" button at the top of the screen.

You may use the erasable notebooklet to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your response. However, your final responses to the exercises must be typed into the on-screen response box OR written on the response sheet and scanned using the scanner provided.

Your responses will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria.

Be sure to write about the assigned topic. You may not use any reference materials during the test. Remember to review your work and make any changes you think will improve your response.

Any time spent responding to the assignment, including scanning the response sheet(s), is part of your testing time. Monitor your time carefully. When your testing time expires, a pop-up message will appear on-screen indicating the conclusion of your test session. Only response sheets that are scanned before you end your test or before time has expired will be scored. Any response sheet that is not scanned before testing ends will NOT be scored.

Select the Next button to continue.

Sample Language Comparisons Assignment

To demonstrate your understanding of the phonology of Modern Standard Arabic and English, write a response of a few sentences in which you compare two aspects of the consonant system of Arabic with two aspects of the consonant system of English.

Your response may be written in either Modern Standard Arabic or English. Be sure to give specific examples from both languages to support your answer.

Sample Response for the Language Comparisons Assignment

There are 28 letters in Arabic while there are 26 letters in English. One difference in the consonant systems of Arabic versus English is that Arabic has more sounds in the back of the throat than English does. English has the sounds [g], [k] and a glottal stop that is not a meaningful speech sound—it is not phonemic. Arabic treats the glottal stop like a regular consonant and it is indicated in a word like other consonants. Arabic also has a fricative that is pronounced in the same place as [g] and [k] are in English, but this sound is not in English. These are the sounds in the Arabic words xaa and ghayn. Arabic also has a fricative sound pronounced further back in the throat—the sound ayn. Arabic also has a stop made in the very back of the throat—the sound qaaf. These are all sounds that do not exist in English.

Another difference is how consonants function in English and Arabic. In Arabic, words cannot start with consonant clusters like 'st', but words can begin with consonant clusters in English. When a word is borrowed from English into Arabic and the English word begins with a consonant cluster, a vowel is inserted preceding this cluster when pronounced in Arabic:

English:     studio     Arabic:     istuudyuu

The pronunciation of the letter names in Arabic is also different. For example, in English, the letter "b" is pronounced like the word "bee". In Arabic, باء is pronounced [ba'a]. In Arabic, the consonants are pronounced depending on the marks on them while in English there are no extra marks that influence pronunciation.

Performance Characteristics for the Language Comparisons Assignment

Purpose the extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
Subject Matter Knowledge accuracy and appropriateness in the application of subject matter knowledge
Support quality and relevance of supporting details
Rationale soundness of argument and degree of understanding of the subject matter

Score Scale for the Language Comparisons Assignment

Score Point Score Point Description
4 The "4" response reflects a thorough knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
  • The purpose of the assignment is fully achieved.
  • There is a substantial, accurate, and appropriate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence is sound; there are high-quality, relevant examples.
  • The response reflects an ably reasoned, comprehensive understanding of the topic.
    		•
    3 The "3" response reflects a general knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
  • The purpose of the assignment is largely achieved.
  • There is a generally accurate and appropriate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence generally supports the discussion; there are some relevant examples.
  • The response reflects a general understanding of the topic.
    		•
    2 The "2" response reflects a partial knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
  • The purpose of the assignment is partially achieved.
  • There is a limited, possibly inaccurate or inappropriate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence is limited; there are few relevant examples.
  • The response reflects a limited, poorly reasoned understanding of the topic.
    		•
    1 The "1" response reflects little or no knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
  • The purpose of the assignment is not achieved.
  • There is little or no appropriate or accurate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence, if present, is weak; there are few or no relevant examples.
  • The response reflects little or no reasoning about or understanding of the topic.
    		•
    U The response is unscorable because it is not on the given topic, illegible, not in the appropriate language, or too short to score.
    B There is no response to the assignment.