The reading and literature objectives for the 1979-80 assessment by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are categorized into four major areas: valves reading and literature, comprehends written works, responds to written works, and applies study skills in reading. These major objectives and their subobjectives are presented as statements followed by amplified descriptions. Following each subobjective are a few italicized questions illustrating the kinds of questions one might ask or the kinds of skills one might expect students to display. (RL) Primary type of information provided by report: Assessment Instrument (Objectives); Procedures (Objectives Development).