Ngā momo pātai   Question types 

 

A range of question types have been used to ensure a wide range of comprehension skills are assessed. For the new tests, the number of question types have been broadened from the original three types to five. Competent readers develop knowledge, a repertoire of strategies, and awareness that enable them to:
 

1) decode, that is, read individual words                  

2) construct meaning effectively                                     

3) think critically as readers.

 

In the table below there are links with the text processing strategies from the Effective Literacy Handbook (ELP)

 

The five question types in PAT Pānui are described below. Kaiako will determine student strengths and needs against these types and then make decisions about which sort of text processing strategies need to improve, therefore identifying next steps for ākonga.

 

PAT Pānui - Reading Comprehension

ELP: text processing strategies links

Retrieval (R) questions require comprehension without needing to make any inference, so that the answer within the text can be matched to the wording of the question. Very few questions are true retrieval questions.

  • attending and searching – looking purposefully for particular information, known words, familiar text features, patterns of syntax, and information in pictures and diagrams 

 

Local inference (LI) questions require comprehension of implied information from within relatively small sections of text. The answers are straightforward and localised but require some inference where the answer is not explicitly stated in the text. 

 

  •  cross-checking and confirming – checking to ensure that the reading makes sense and fits with all the information already processed 

Make complex inferences (CI) from across relatively larger sections of text.

  • predicting – forming expectations or anticipating what will come next by drawing on prior knowledge and experience of language 

 

Interpret and integrate (I&I) ideas and information making sense of the intent and developing a more complete understanding of the entire text.

  • cross-checking and confirming – checking to ensure that the reading makes sense and fits with all the information already processed 

 

Evaluate and critique (C&E) elements of text structure and language, drawing upon knowledge of language use, presentational features, and general or genre-specific features of texts.

  • self-correcting – detecting or suspecting that an error has been made and searching for additional information in order to arrive at the right meaning.

 


Next Steps Planning


In the Individual Item Report, accessed by clicking a question number in the Item Report, there is a link to the Assessment Resource Banks. 

Kaiako can use key words that link to what students need to learn and search the English Item Bank for activities. Students' level of learning can be catered for by choosing the correct curriculum level in the filters.