Readability Tests

The article “A Comet” is quite short.  Two readability tests are applied to the first one hundred words: Fry Readability Graph Test and SMOG Grading System (See Annex A). Both results showed that the article is approximated to be well-suited for Grade 6 and Grade 5 readers respectively, which is a very close approximation.

       To justify, take a look once again at Chall’s Stages of Reading Development. On pages 153-154 of the textbook, Stage 3 refers to ‘reading for learning the new’ whose age range falls between 9-13 years old or Grades 4-8. The major qualitative characteristics and masteries by the end of this stage are:

1)      “Reading is used to learn new ideas, gain new knowledge, to experience new feelings, to learn new attitudes”;

2)      “Reading generally from one viewpoint”

These are normally applied by “reading textbooks, reference works, trade books, newspapers, and magazines that contain new ideas and values, unfamiliar vocabulary and syntax; systematic study of words and reacting to the text through discussion, answering questions, writing, etc.; reading of increasingly more complex fiction, biography, nonfiction and the like.”

           Apparently, the article ‘A Comet’ presents a new idea to the readers, is most likely taken from a science textbook, talks about a more complex scientific fact (as compared to just the sun , moon, and stars discussed in lower years) and helps readers gain new knowledge. With this may come new feelings and attitudes about our universe.

           Moreover, in Stage 3 Chall’s Stages of Reading Development, it is important to note that even if the students’ task here is the mastering of ideas as compared to just simply decoding (Stage 1) and confirming (Stage 2), the students’ cognitive abilities are still rather limited (as compared to the high school years) and so the first steps of this stage are usually best developed with purposes and materials that are clear, less complex and within one viewpoint (Hermosa, p.157), which the article “A Comet” clearly shows.

           In terms of Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development, the results of the readability tests are still supported by Piaget’s theory. The age 11-15 years belong to the Formal Operational Stage of Cognitive Development. It is characterized by logical, abstract and unlimited thinking (Hermosa, p. 205). Reading about a comet is quite abstract for children. And since children at this stage are capable of ‘hypothetico-deductive thought’ or the ability to think in abstract terms (Hermosa, p. 208), the article ‘A Comet’ is indeed perfect for readers of Grades 5-6 as approximated by the two readability tests. The idea of a comet, though factual, is still quite abstract for no one has really seen a comet up close and personal yet it is logical because it does exist and can be seen up in the sky every so many years like the famous Haley’s comet. There are also various books written about it, its cultural, theological, and historical significance, etc. References to it could be limitless.  

           In addition, according to the research findings on reading interests by Sutherland and Arbuthnot in 1991, intermediate children are interested in physical sciences as well (Hermosa, p.298). The article about a comet can be considered one of the many subjects or topics under physical sciences or the universe. Therefore, this also further supports the results of the readability tests.