Literature Review
In the language proficiency, processing speed is a vital component. That
is, fast brains can analyze and process the text and information
rapidly. Alderson (2005) argued that “the ability to process text
rapidly is a crucial factor distinguishing high to low level of language
proficiency. speed is a more important indicator of proficiency and it
is a useful component of a diagnostic measure” (p.261). In speeded
tests, test scores reveal the learners’ level of ability (Bachman,
1990). When time constraints are imposed, individual differences
appeared much more markedly (Oller, 1973, as cited in Grotjahan, 2010 ).
Consequently, the amount of the time allocated relate to the performance
of the test takers.
In this study, time constraints were imposed for the cloze-elide test in
order to investigate the performance of the test takers under the time
limitation. Grotjahn (2010) argued that time constraints effect on test
reliability and test validity. Cloze-elide test was observed as a valid
and reliable test to measure language proficiency and reading
comprehension test (Holster, 2017; Manning, 1987). The high Cronbach’s
alpha reliabilities were investigated for the cloze-elide test in some
studies ( Bowen, 1978, Davis, 1975, as cited in Holster, 2017). In the
cloze-elide test procedure, Manning (1987) used a table of random
numbers to determine the location of the intrusive words in the text and
demonstrated the validity of the cloze-elide test for TOEFL. In another
study conducted by Holster (2017), Microsoft Excel was employed for
determining the location of redundant words. In his study, the subjects
were asked to determine the sentences which included intrusive words. He
reported the Rasch reliability of .89 for the cloze-elide test. In
contrast, Klein-Braley (1997) used Manning’s (1987) cloze-elide test and
reported the reliability of .49 for the test.
The fundamental aim of the current research is to examine the validity
and reliability of the speeded cloze-elide test. In the speeded
cloze-elide test, time is a key factor which influences the performance
of the test takers. It supposes that better subjects’ processing speed
and fluent in language knowledge, more rapidly and efficiently they will
figure out the message and respond to the test. The processing speed of
the test takers and their ability to recognize the redundant words in
the text was investigated in this study to distinguish high to low
levels of overall language proficiency. The test takers are required to
identify the redundant words in the time pressure.