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Table 3 The instruments used in the study

From: Exploring the role of language knowledge and background knowledge in reading comprehension of specific-purpose tests in higher education

Variable

Aim

Description

Scale

General English

Assessment of L2 proficiency

20 items (60 min)

Percentage scale

Text 1

Assessment of reading in an academic context

LSAP reading test involving a text on economic activities before the Civil War of the 1860s

Percentage scale

Text 2

Assessment of reading in an academic context

LSAP reading test involving a text on the government’s laws for paying taxes

Percentage scale

Text 3

Assessment of reading in an academic context

LSAP reading test involving a text on the economic activities in British North America

Percentage scale

BEFORE

Assessment of background knowledge

Familiarity with the topic. Questions were asked before reading the texts

Dichotomous scale