//Etymology: Elevator As a Definition of ‘Elevator’

Etymology: Elevator As a Definition of ‘Elevator’

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A test or exam is an educational examination intended to test a test-taker’s comprehension, memory, reasoning, color recognition, attention, etc. The various types of these examinations include multiple choice, reading, English, Math, Science, and Vocational. Different kinds of these are conducted by different educational institutions. In the United States, there are many standardized tests such as TOEFL, SSAT, GRE, GMAT, and CAE. In Canada, there are standardized tests such as WORT, ESL, and Canadian Student Examination (CES).

Students who need assistance with their standardized tests normally consult with a testing consultant. These consulting services consist of instructors, curriculum developers, tutors, and testing managers. The testing consultants offer students and parents valuable assistance in the preparation, execution, scoring, and analysis of test data sets. Other services offered by these consulting teams include providing students with practice tests and guide questions.

The main responsibilities of these consulting teams are to ensure that the test design is based on the prescribed test procedures and that the test data collection forms conform to specified test design formats and criteria. The testing managers ensure that test design criteria are met by the test design team and supervise implementation of test cases. Supervising test execution is a vital and complex role. Testing managers play a critical role in ensuring that the test design and implementation procedures are followed and that the test data quality is maintained throughout the entire test process.

Aside from supervising test execution, test managers are responsible for analyzing test data. Analysis of test data includes both generalizability and precision. Generalizability refers to how closely a test’s outcome can be predicted by a given set of specifications. Precision refers to how closely the outcome of a test can be compared to known standards or to an example in the scientific and business world. For instance, the study of etymology defines the word ‘ella’ as a feminine past participle of the root seen also in Terra.

It is common knowledge that the root of all technical terms in science and engineering can be found in the Latin roots. Latin is the root of the word ‘electrum’, which in turn can be derived from the Greek word for wind (ere). Thus, a device for testing the strength of a foundation, such as the hydraulic gauge used in modern construction, is named after the Greek word for wind (ere). Similarly, a device for testing the power of an electric motor is called eeleon.

From the foregoing it is clear that the term ‘elevator’ is not derived from any particular etymology but is instead used to describe any type of structure that draws its energy by harnessing some kind of kinetic energy. Such a device would not necessarily need to be an elevator if it only harnessed some sort of kinetic energy. This therefore leaves out the etymology ‘from test’ from the word ‘testamentum’ or the etymology ‘of a round object that spins.’ Such a description, while providing a vivid example of etymology misnomers, may perhaps best serve as a cautionary tale for students, professors, and others interested in pursuing a career in architectural design. I hope you will please consider this.