Original Article The Impact of Item Type on L2 Reading Comprehension Tests: An Analysis Based on the Test-Taker's Language Family

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4151/S0718-09342026012101406

Keywords:

L2 reading comprehension, item format, linguistic distance, interlinguistic activation, communicative competence assessment

Abstract

This study focuses on analyzing the interaction between the language family of the first language (L1) and item format in the assessment of reading comprehension in a second language (L2). Based on the premise that both linguistic typology and item design may influence test-taker performance, the study explores how these combined variables affect the validity of reading comprehension tests. Responses from 8,701 candidates from 82 countries who took a Spanish as a Foreign Language certification test were analyzed, grouping them according to the language family of their L1. Using robust regression analyses, significant effects were identified for both linguistic distance and item format, as well as for their interaction. The findings indicate that test-takers whose L1 belongs to language families typologically closer to Spanish—such as Indo-European languages—demonstrated significantly higher performance, particularly on item types that demand deeper levels of semantic processing and morphosyntactic integration.

Author Biography

Paula Elosua, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

The profile includes a total of 145 documents, with 74 publications indexed in Web of Science, of which 72 belong to the Web of Science Core Collection. There are no registered preprints, dissertations or theses, verified peer reviews, editor records, or awarded grants. Additionally, 71 publications are not indexed. The researcher is affiliated with the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP), and the Faculty of Psychology. Her work spans multiple subject areas including Psychology, Education and Educational Research, Linguistics, Social Sciences – Other Topics, and Nursing.

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Published

2026-08-14

How to Cite

Martinez Algeciras, K. A., Elosua Oliden, P., & Fruns Giménez, J. (2026). Original Article The Impact of Item Type on L2 Reading Comprehension Tests: An Analysis Based on the Test-Taker’s Language Family. Revista Signos. Estudios De Lingüística, 59(121), 810–830. https://doi.org/10.4151/S0718-09342026012101406

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 121 (2026): August

Section

Articles

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