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I've never seen such research, though it likely exists, since it would make
a great PhD topic. It would be interesting to see how the decline in current
College reading levels would effect the studies! In addition to your
question, usually grade 6 is the level most English speaking people feel
comfortable with in their day-to-day lives.
The following links (one recent) talk about 'lifting the fog' for the
average reader, and determining the level of writing based on syllables and
sentence structure:
> Is there research to suggest that one's reading level
> declines below what one achieved in school, if one doesn't
> ever do much reading? I do know some office workers who
> leave the office and either watch TV or play (fill in favorite
> recreational teamsport). Not only don't they read for
> recreation (or even self-improvement), they're proud of it.
>
> So, if their minds have been puddling for some years, then
> to what level should one be writing when addressing them?
> ...
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