This article is written in response to Cleary's contribution in RELC Journal 19/2 December 1988. It surveys the literature on C-Testing and points out that all the present literature has been influenced by Klein-Bradley's original research in Duisberg. This research is then scrutinized, and the conclusion is reached that while C-Testing may be a legitimate device of L1 testing, it lacks a theoretical basis for application with FL learners. It is demonstrated that Cleary has deviated from procedures thought by Klein- Bradley to be crucial to the validity of C-Testing, and caution is urged in the adoption of this method.
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