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International Comparisons in Fourth-Grade Reading Literacy Banner
PIRLS 2006

PIRLS 2001

PIRLS 2001 in Brief

Reading Literacy

Distribution of Average Combined Reading Literacy Scores

Reading Literacy by Benchmarks

How Different Groups Perform

Reading and Instruction in the Classroom

Reading Outside of School

Sample Items from PIRLS 2001

List of Figures

-Appendix A   Technical Notes (PDF - 54 KB)

-Appendix B   Examining the Similarities and Differences Between PIRLS and NAEP (PDF - 74 KB)

-Full Report (PDF - 798 KB)

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Sample Items from PIRLS 2001

Exhibits 1 through 7 contain reading passages from PIRLS 2001 and a number of assessment items. The items show actual student responses and compare U.S. fourth-graders' performance to the international average. The items also demonstrate acceptable performance at the four benchmarks (top 10 percent, upper quarter, median, and lower quarter). The reading passage and all of these items have been released to the public by IEA.

    Exhibit 1 - reading passage, The Upside-Down Mice
    Exhibit 2 - example of item at top 10 percent benchmark: partial credit response
    Exhibit 3 - example of item at top 10 percent benchmark: full credit response
    Exhibit 4 - example of item at upper quarter benchmark: full credit response
    Exhibit 5 - example of item at median benchmark: full credit response
    Exhibit 6 - example item at lower benchmark: full credit response
    Exhibit 7 - example item at lower quarter benchmark: full credit response