Ages 12-16 This is by far the most comprehensive package dealing in the main with composition and comprehension. Within the composition section are punctuation, elementary and advanced spelling, vocabulary tests, figures of speech, irregular plurals and 'phrase to word'summary. The spelling tests are different from any other packages in that an audio cassette is supplied with the package and is played through a normal cassette recorder/player. A voice barks out the word which is entered by the 'pupil'onto the screen. In the comprehension section (side two) are eight multiple choice tests and eight summary tests. Let me expand on that a bit. The multiple choice tests involve a display of a passage of text which when read will provide the correct answer to a choice of five questions at the foot of the screen. This tests to see if the reader has understood the passage. The summaries on the other hand test the reader in understanding the salient points of a displayed passage. This is achieved by the reader identifying the key phrases through moving the cursor across selected text. The selections are checked with a 'blueprint' in the program and reported accordingly. The package has a degree of flexibility which cannot be found in others as it allows the user, parent or teacher to change some of the questions and answers or even record words for the spelling tests. This is done by changing selected data statements, so the person making the changes will have to have some understanding of Basic. If you buy the disc version, any amendments are restricted to one spelling and one comprehension test. CPCs- Disc $79.00; Cass $79.00 TAU
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