The purpose of this study was to develop tests items with a minimum reading demand for use with pupils at grade levels two through six. An item was judged to be acceptable if the item satisfied at least four of six criteria. Approximately 250 students in grades 2-6 participated in the study. Half of the students were given instruction to develop the ability to use concepts from the particle nature of matter. The test items developed were designed to assess this ability. Test items pertaining to concepts within a unit were administered to each of the instructed classes on the day following completion of instruction on the last concept. The same test items were administered to each of the noninstructed classes a day or so later. Although only two items met all six criteria, 104 items met at least four of the six. Items related to each of the 25 concepts that met the established requirements were developed. (BR)