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Colloquial expressions a valid style for testing English

In response to the concern raised regarding the use of colloquial language in the 2008 HKALE AS, Use of English, Section A Listening Test (UEA), ('Standards of English exams deplorable', Education Post, April 19), the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority would like to make the following clarifications: The expressions used in UEA are 'when the damn thing bit me' and 'What the hell are we going to do?'. The word 'shit', as quoted by the media, did not occur in the test.

According to most authoritative dictionaries, 'damn' and 'hell' in expressions like 'What the hell' are classified as colloquial, but are not foul language. The context/situation of the exam paper is a 'reality show' where such language, given the occasional crises contestants have to deal with, is not out of place.

The expression 'when the damn thing bit me' is made with reference to a snake which has attacked one of the contestants and 'What the hell are we going to do?' is an expression of panic rather than a question asked in anger. The colloquial expressions add drama to the situation and are not used in an offensive way. Neither of the incidents of colloquial language used formed any testing points.

Expressions such as these can be found in family TV programmes and children's literature. The words 'hell' and 'damn', for example, frequently occur in the Harry Potter movies, which have been classified as IIA, or suitable for ages 12 and older. The HKEAA therefore considers the use of the expressions appropriate, and is confident that they would not cause offence to HKALE candidates 18 or older.

The authority welcomes comments on test items and language used and will bring them to the attention of the moderation committees, which are comprised of members from the school sector, higher education institutions and assessment experts, in respect of the development of future papers.