Linguistic variability of the answers to open-ended questions of reading literacy in the computer based INVALSI tests

Abstract

This paper analyzes the linguistic variability of students’ answers to the questions administered within the Invalsi tests for grade 8 in the school year 2017/2018. From a quantitative point of view, the open-ended questions were classified on the basis of the linguistic variability of the relative answers; this classification made it possible to observe different behavioral patterns and deduce general indications. From a didactic point of view, the study allows to outline focused reflections on the verbalization of answers to reading comprehension questions. From a practical point of view, the study may guide further reflection on how to formulate open-ended questions in order to reduce the variability of answers.