Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

Teaching to the test is a curious phenomenon. Instead of deciding what skills students ought to learn, helping students learn them, and then using some sensible methods of assessment to discover whether students have mastered the skills, teachers are encouraged to change the process in the opposite way. First one looks at a test, which is intended for money. Then one chooses the skills needed not to master reading, but to do well in the test. Finally, the test skills are taught.
The ability to read or write might imply the ability to do reasonably well on standardized tests. However, neither reading nor writing develops simply through being taught to take tests. We must be careful to avoid confusing preparation for a test of a skill with the acquisition of that skill. Too many discussions of basic skill make this misunderstanding because people are only interested in the test rather than concerned with the nature and quality of what is taught.
Recently, many schools have faced what could be called the crisis of comprehension or, in simple terms, the phenomenon of students with grammar skills still being unable to understand what they read. These students are quite good at test taking and filling in workbooks. However, they have little or no experience reading or thinking, and talking about what they read. They know the details but can't see or understand the whole. They are taught to be so concerned with grades that they have no time or ease of mind to think about meaning, and reread things if necessary.

1The author insists that _________.
A. state tests be replaced by some more sensible methods of assessment.
B. teachers pay more attention to the nature and quality of what is taught.
C. students not be concerned with grades but do more reading and thinking.
D. main changes be brought about in the general teaching.

I am completely confused at the choices above. I think all of them are correct. But there is only one correct answer. Could anyone help me out in choosing this answer? Why?

PS: why does the author say (which is intended for money) in paragraph 1?

Many thanks.
Jason

[buddhaheart]

I think B. is an appropriate answer.

[jasonlulu_2000]

thanks for your reply.

But could you tell me why the other three answers are wrong.