True as that may be, it still does not address the fact that a test was designed with a specific set of rules without that set being identified.
If I give you a spelling test, I'll mark off colour, favourite, honour, enrolment, metre, dialogue, programme, counselling, pyjamas, lighted, and equalling as misspelled.
Now, you as an
ESL have learned that spelling this way is incorrect, however, when you take a test written by someone else, and you spell things, color, favorite, honor, enrollment, meter, dialog, program, counseling, pajamas, lit, and equaling, you are again marked as incorrect.
As a student trying to learn English, you have now learned what?
(For me it would be, don't take tests unless someone defines what set of rules are being used ahead of time. Thus, my statement is re-enforced. )
If a specific set of rules are used to determine if an answer is correct, they should be delineated prior to the test being administered.
If generic English rules are used, no explanation of the rule set is necessary.
English is difficult enough without making it impossible to be right.
You see, if both rule sets were used on the same test, you will always get two wrong, no matter what you answer.
Therefore on my profile, when asked what my native language was, I specified 'American English'. Although, Canadians do live on the North American Continent, they speak Canadian English.
Now we see, the Brits spell it as, aeroplane and Canadians spell it airplane. Amortise being the Queen's English, while Canadians use amortize.
Now personally, I like the way the English spell titbit, rather than the Canadian tidbit.
Whenever you hold someone to measure, the scale should be apparent to all.
Wholeman
Which English is it? 
Linear Mode
