Which term describes the readability of material that is too difficult for a student to read successfully, with less than 90% accuracy in word identification and less than 50% comprehension?

Which term describes the readability of material that is too difficult for a student to read successfully, with less than 90% accuracy in word identification and less than 50% comprehension?

• A. Frustration level
• B. Independent level
• C. Informal reading inventory
• D. Instructional level

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is about text difficulty in relation to a student’s ability. When a reader shows less than 90% accuracy in identifying words and less than 50% in understanding what they read, the material is too hard for them to read successfully without overwhelming strain. That combination signals frustration level—the text is beyond what the student can handle even with typical support, making independent reading unproductive and instructionally challenging. Think of the other levels this way: an independent level would involve high word accuracy and strong comprehension, meaning a student can read comfortably on their own. An instructional level is doable with guidance, but still presents a noticeable challenge. The informal reading inventory is simply the tool used to estimate these levels, not the label for the material’s difficulty itself.

The main idea here is about text difficulty in relation to a student’s ability. When a reader shows less than 90% accuracy in identifying words and less than 50% in understanding what they read, the material is too hard for them to read successfully without overwhelming strain. That combination signals frustration level—the text is beyond what the student can handle even with typical support, making independent reading unproductive and instructionally challenging.

Think of the other levels this way: an independent level would involve high word accuracy and strong comprehension, meaning a student can read comfortably on their own. An instructional level is doable with guidance, but still presents a noticeable challenge. The informal reading inventory is simply the tool used to estimate these levels, not the label for the material’s difficulty itself.