This book explores the construct of language in use, specifically as operationalised through different item types in the Austrian Matura (school-leaving exam). Empirical research on some of these item types is scarce. The author reports on a mixed-methods study. The theoretical frameworks employed are Purpura's (2004) model of language ability and Weir's (2005) socio-cognitive framework. The findings suggest that the tasks under investigation assess grammatical form and meaning at the sub-sentential and sentential level. Different item types were also found to target different elements of...