The 106 quizzes cover the declension and conjugation classes normally presented in first- and second-year textbooks. They use everyday vocabulary in short, realistic sentences or dialogues. The material for these quizzes comes from various grammar exercises in the Beginning Russian textbook (Slavica Publishers, 1991). This software can be used with Beginning Russian, but it can also be used by a learner studying alone or by anyone who needs a thorough review of Russian grammar. Each quiz includes an exhaustive explanation of the grammatical point illustrated.
There are two versions of the program: one with audio, one without. The audio version allows you to hear a high quality recording of each question. The recording can be played any number of times. Those with good auditory memory find this very useful. You read, write, hear, and analyze simultaniously, an added benefit of technology.
When you open a quiz, the program displays a sentence or short dialogue with blanks. Type in the endings, and the program evaluates your response. If some of the letters are incorrect, the program gives you up to four chances to correct your answer. You never retype the correct part of the response. You may also request to see the correct answer at any time.
Various options can be customized, such as the number of tries allowed for each question before the computer "gives up," the order of the questions (random or sequential), the size of the screen font, the Russian keyboard layout, etc. Three keyboard layouts are included: AATSEEL Standard, AATSEEL Student, and Soviet. A keyboard layout may be displayed on the screen as you work on the exercise.
The program also allows you to keep an optional log of your work. This log is a database that can be sorted, edited, and printed using many Microsoft Windows database or spreadsheet programs. The records in the database contain users' names, the name of each exercise that was done, the time and date when the work was started, how long it took, and the average score. A student may also elect to work anonymously. This information can help either an instructor or an individual learner understand where additional help is needed.
The program is very easy to use: there are no keyboard commands to memorize, and the screen layout is functional and attractive.
