The best way to assess listening and writing skills is—

Writing a heard story in one's own words simultaneously assesses listening comprehension (did the child understand the story?) and writing skill (can the child express ideas in writing?). Word-by-word transcription tests only mechanical memory, not comprehension or genuine writing ability. Question-answer format tests narrow recall. Retelling in own words requires understanding the whole story, organizing ideas, and using personal vocabulary—a holistic assessment.