An examination of the cloze technique as a measurement of comprehension reveals that the technique has the potential to measure those aspects of comprehension that may yet be unidentified. This article reviews the unique qualities of the cloze as a research tool, as a teaching tool, and as a readability procedure. (Author)

A study was conducted to determine the effect of using a space test (marking word boundaries, a task involving setting aside words from the context of a sentence) as a measure of reading ability. Subjects in the study were 138 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students. The students were randomly divided into two groups so that one group completed…

This study was designed to investigate further the validity of using a space test (marking word boundaries, a task involving setting aside words from the context of a sentence) as a measure of reading comprehension. Specifically, the purposes of this investigation were to compare student performance on a space test to their performance on a cloze…

Two studies were conducted to investigate the use of a technique for providing a grade-level interpretation for cloze readability scores. In the first study, Bormuth's cloze-test criteria were compared with the results of the Fry and Dale-Chall readability formulae. A total of 133 students in grades 4 to 8 were required to read a 250-word passage…

Argues that informal reading inventories (IRI) and the cloze procedure may provide inaccurate information and inhibit the progress of poor readers. Examines the concept of frustration level in both IRI and cloze testing. Posits that, in attempting to avoid frustrating students, educators fail to provide students with sufficient challenges.…

The validity of Fry's Readability Graph for determining grade level readability scores was compared with the Spache Formula, the cloze technique, and oral reading in the case of seven primary-level books. Descriptions of these four indicated that to determine grade level, Fry's Readability Graph plots the total number of syllables with the total…

The purposes of this study were to determine if cloze tests would yield reading instruction levels identical to those obtained with an Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) and if there would be discrepancies in the reading levels yielded by the two instruments for subjects from a lower socioeconomic level. The investigator, with the assistance of one…

Six informal diagnostic procedures are outlined to assist teachers in assessing how well their students may be able to read assigned readings. The procedures are observation, simplified reading inventory, cloze procedure, informal reading inventory, group reading inventory, and criterion-referenced tests. (MKM)

Presented is an accurate and quick way to assess readibility. A brief review of literature related to various formulae for readiability assessment is included. A sample test, a sample scoring-recording form used in textbook selection, and selected references are also presented. (EB)

Presents a study in which subjects were tested by a cloze test to ascertain their instructional level in the content areas of social studies and science. Indicates that the cloze procedure is a helpful method of evaluating student reading levels. (TJ)

An addition to the teacher's repertoire of silent reading tests is the formal cloze procedure. This test requires the reader to replace exactly individual words deleted from a reading passage. It serves to identify those students who are not reading at an expected level, but it does not suggest why this is so. However, with modifications to both…

Noting that ratios can be used to great advantage in scoring informal reading tests, such as the cloze procedure and the informal reading inventory, this paper explains the procedures for calculating cross-ratios and percentages when computing scores for informal reading assessments. Examples are provided for using ratios to determine scores for…

A study was conducted to explore the issue of testing to determine reading levels of students. A group of 624 fourth and sixth grade students from 13 schools participated in the study, which compared results from an informal reading inventory (IRI), a standardized achievement test, a group reading inventory (GRI), and a cloze test. Pupil…

The reading test forms in this booklet are to be used primarily for determining students' reading grade level. In expanded forms, they can also serve as diagnostic tools for some reading and learning disabilities. All teachers should be able to administer these tests with relative accuracy and, when applicable, discover narrow areas which will…