Abstract: This research analyzed the ability structure of reading Chinese by studentsfrom three age levels: sixth grade primary school, third grade junior highschool and third grade senior high school, revealing the characteristics of thedevelopment of this ability structure. The results showed that the ability str-ucture of Chinese reading varied with age. On the one hand, the number offactors increased progressively, on the other hand, the relative status of morecomplicated and more advanced factors strengthened continuously. From theresult it is pointed out that this differs from the decomposing pattern whichWestern psychologists have put forward, the factors of the ability structure in-crease displays a "replacing pattern" in style, that is, the course is accompli-shed by new factors replacing original basic ability factors to influence theactivity.

Key words: Chinese reading ability structure, development, decomposing pattern, replacing pattern, basic ability factor