Feature extraction of the “English Technical Writing Test” using data mining

Abstract

In this study, English sentences of the “English Technical Writing Test,” a qualification test for “evaluating the ability to read and write science and technology documents in English objectively and correctly” are examined in terms of metrical linguistics. In short, frequency characteristics of character- and word-appearance are investigated using a program written in C++. These characteristics are approximated by an exponential function. Furthermore, the percentage of Japanese junior high school required vocabulary and American basic vocabulary is calculated to obtain the difficulty-level of each material.