Effects Of Text Types And Response Formats On Language Proficiency In EFL Reading Comprehension

This dissertation has viewed the bottom-up approach, the top-down approach, the interactive theory and the schema theory in retrospect. The advocates of different reading models have exerted great impact upon the research of reading. The merits and demerits of each reading model are discussed at great length, In addition, an array of different reading skills, in terms of the micro processes, the macro processes and metacognitive reading skills, are explored into in order to pave the way for the test design and assessment in the present research. The introduction of different language tests such as the aptitude test, achievement test, proficiency test, criterion-referenced test, norm-referenced test, discrete-point test, integrative test, objective test, subjective test, direct test, indirect test, speed test and power test, has presented a panoramic view of different classification of language tests, though the categories mentioned are far from exhaustive. The overview of testing in history hopes to facilitate the global understanding of reading test in three phases — pre-scientific testing, psychometric approach and post-modern stage. The theories and historical development concerning the test of reading serve as significant background information, which are of paramount importance to the research involved in the dissertation.The research has been conducted by adopting two aspects from Bachman's framework of test method facets — text organization and response format. On the basis of literature review, three text types and four response formats are used, paying due attention to the notions of validity, characteristics of the test and reliability. The three text types are Narration, Functional Reading and Argumentation respectively. The four response formats are in the order of multiple-choice questions, translation, short answer questions and summary writing.The procedure of the research begins with reading comprehension tests. Some ready-made passages from Shanghai Matriculation English Tests of the past five years are selected. Five passages constitute the Proficiency Test, which will be taken by every test taker to reach comparability. There are three passages in each text type paired with four different response formats. Therefore, twelve different tests are intended to test the effects of three different text types and four response formats on students with different...