What does readability refer to in the context of texts?

Readability refers to an estimate of the difficulty level of a text, focusing on how easily a reader can understand it. This involves various factors such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall coherence, all contributing to the text's accessibility for different audiences. When evaluating readability, educators and researchers often consider elements like word frequency and sentence length, which help gauge how challenging a text may be for readers with different skill levels.

The other options do touch on related aspects of text but do not encapsulate the full meaning of readability. While the length of sentences, the amount of information contained, or the grade level necessary for comprehension all contribute to the overall difficulty, they are specific components rather than the comprehensive idea of readability itself. Readability encompasses a broader assessment that aims to predict how easily a reader can engage with and understand the text as a whole.