Abstract: Based on Chinese text reading, permitting the subjects to control the display rate,this study examined the influences on reading comprehension of factors such as window size(10 vs. 20 Chinese characters), initiated rate (300 vs. 600 characters /minute) and display format (gliding leading format vs. RSVP). Compared with the results of the computer-controlling display rate experiment, the results were as follows: (1) the gliding leading format resulted in higher comprehension performance and was preferred by the subjects; (2) there was a trade-off between reading speed and comprehension; (3) if the subjects were permitted to control the display rate, the reading comprehension of different initiated rate depended on the particular combination of window size and display format; (4) the computer-controlled display rate surpassed the self-paced display rate in reading efficiency.

Key words: self-paced display rate, sliding leading format , RSVP, reading comprehension