Reading Skills and Reading Habits: A study of new Open University undergraduate reservees

A total of 365 potential Open University (OU) students responded to a postal test (via two cloze passages) of their reading skills, and a survey of their reading habits. A best-fit multiple regression model showed that previous educational level and time elapsed since a respondent had last finished a book were the best predictors of cloze scores. A five-factor model explained 37.2% of variance in the data; brief descriptions of respondents associated with each factor are given. Age accounted for 11.6% of the variance, higher than any other factor. Younger respondents were significantly more likely to score low on the more difficult cloze passage, to read books less frequently, and to read tabloid newspapers.