FA!L-C Familiar and!ovel Language Comprehension Test Daniel Kempler, Ph.D. & Diana Van Lancker, Ph.D. Drawings by Susan A. Black 1996
Familiar and!ovel Language Comprehension Test (FA!L-C) Description of Test: The FANL-C tests patients' abilities to match literal and nonliteral sentences to pictures. There are 44 sentences in all: 2 practice and 20 test sentences for the literal and nonliteral subtests. Subjects listen to a sentence spoken by the examiner, and point to one of four line drawings. The examiner enters their choice on a separate answer sheet and records the time taken for each subtest. Answer sheets are provided; * in a square indicates the correct choice. Performance is scored as total number correct and total time for subtest. Total test time is about 10-12 minutes for normal adults. Instructions to the Examiner: Part One: Familiar Phrases All items should be spoken AS NATURALLY AS POSSIBLE by the examiner. For each sentence, circle number in boxes on answer sheet of picture selected. Examiner: I'm going to say a sentence, and I'd like you to match one of these pictures to the sentence that I say. Some of the sentences are kind of funny. They're idioms. Do you know what an idiom is? Like 'he has his head in the clouds.' (Show pictures for practice item #1.) Examiner: Which picture is best for 'he has his head in the clouds? [Patient selects picture.] Examiner: If choice is correct, yes, the boy is daydreaming, and it is true to say that he has his head in the clouds. If choice is incorrect, No, actually, it's this one up here. The boy is daydreaming, and so we would say that he has his head in the clouds. (Show pictures for practice item #2.) Examiner: How about these pictures? Which one is best for 'the coast is clear'? [Patient selects picture.] Examiner: If correct, explain, Yes, the robber sees there's no one around, and so the coast is clear. Is that what you thought, too? If incorrect, explain, No, it's this one. The robber sees there's no one around and so the coast is clear. If the patient has missed both items, repeat the first two practice items until it seems that the patient comprehends the idea of selecting pictures for these kinds of items. Examiner: Okay, now I'd like you to try to match the pictures for some sentences. I'll say each sentence once, so try to listen. I won't tel you the answers for these right away. Try to guess at an answer even if you're not sure. Are you ready? Using a wristwatch or stopwatch, note the beginning and ending time for each subtest.
Say each sentence clearly and naturally. Encourage the patient to try to respond after hearing the item once. Repeat only if necessary. If the patient wasn't paying attention (e.g. some interfering noise occurred, or the patient specifically requests a repetition). Please mention on the answer sheet if an item was said twice or more to a patient. Part Two:!ovel Phrases Examiner: Now we will try regular sentences, not funny ones like before. Like this one: 'He takes his pets in the car.' [Patient selects picture.]\ Examiner: Reinforce a correct answer by saying, Yes, these are just regular, literal sentences. Correct a wrong answer by indicating the correct picture and saying, these are just regular, literal sentences. Practice item 2: the cook is angry. Reinforce a correct answer by saying, Yes, these are just regular, literal sentences. Correct a wrong answer by saying, these are just regular, literal sentences. As above, repeat practice items until you have the feeling that the patient has understood the idea. Continue saying sentences once if possible, repeat if necessary. Make note on the answer sheet if an item was said twice or more. Note interesting comments from patients about items on the answer sheet.
FA!L-C Familiar and!ovel Language Comprehension Protocol Subject's!ame Date of Testing Examiner Date of Birth Education SCORE: Familiar:!ovel:
FAMILIAR PHRASES page 1!ame * A. He's got his head in the clouds. 3 4 B. The coast is clear. *3 4 1. I'd like to give you a piece of my mind. *3 4 * 2. Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. 3 4 * 3. She took a sudden turn for the worse. 3 4 * 4. Just in the nick of time. 3 4 * 5. It's like talking to a brick wall. 3 4 6. I've got a bone to pick with you. 3 4* * 7. I'll get back to you later. 3 4 8. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 3 4* 9. He's saving up for a rainy day. *3 4
FAMILIAR PHRASES page 2!ame 10. When our ship comes in. 3 4* 11. She's got him eating out of her hand. 3 4* * 12. That's enough to drive a man to drink. 3 4 * 13. While the cat's away, the mice will play. 3 4 * 14. Keep your nose to the grindstone. 3 4 15. It seems like just yesterday. *3 4 16. Why don't you pick on somebody your own size? 3 4* 17. He's living high on the hog. *3 4 18. Cat got your tongue? *3 4 19. How about a little peace and quiet around here? 3 4* * 20. He's turning over a new leaf. 3 4
!OVEL PHRASES page 3!ame A. He takes his pet in the car. * 3 4 B. The cook is angry. *3 4 1. The dog's trying to give her a ride on the wagon. 3 4* 2. The nails are under the square and the hammer is in the circle. *3 4 * 3. He's racing a truck against a horse. 3 4 4. Almost to the bottom of the mountain. *3 4 * 5. She tried jumping over the striped cat. 3 4 6. He's got a picture to show of her. 3 4* * 7. He jumped up to her suddenly. 3 4 8. The clown, the small clown, and not the one near a girl. *3 4 * 9. She's looking down at her black cat. 3 4
!OVEL PHRASES page 4!ame 10. Then her dog walks in. 3 4* 11. He sees her drinking from a bowl. 3 4* 12. It's easy to teach a dog to swim. *3 4 * 13. Whenever the sun sets, the dog barks. 3 4 14. Follow your sister to the dinner table. 3 4* 15. He kisses the thin lady. *3 4 * 16. Where are they not showing each other their own hats? 3 4 * 17. He's sitting deep in the bubbles. 3 4 * 18. Who's following the dog? 3 4 * 19. Show me the apple and large banana above a square. 3 4 20. He's chasing after a white duck. 3 4*