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Ci sono quindici o sedici penne in questa scatola.

Ci sono quindici o sedici penne in questa scatola.
There are fifteen or sixteen pens in this box.
From Lesson 22:Numbers 11 to 20 (undici, dodici...)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Ci sono quindici o sedici penne in questa scatola.

How do numbers like 15 (quindici) and 16 (sedici) fit into the pattern for the 'teens' in Italian?
In Italian, the numbers 11 through 16 are formed by putting a modified version of the base number first, followed by -dici (from dieci, meaning 10). For example, 15 is quin- + -dici (quindici) and 16 is se- + -dici (sedici). Be careful, though: after 16, the pattern flips! For 17, 18, and 19, the 'ten' part comes first (like diciassette for 17).
Why does the word for 15 (quindici) start with quin- instead of cinque?
The roots of Italian numbers sometimes change slightly depending on the word. While 5 is cinque, the root shifts for 15, becoming quin-. You will see this same spelling pattern again later when you learn words like 50 (cinquanta). For now, just memorize quindici as a special spelling!
I remember learning c'è for 'there is'. Why do we use ci sono in this sentence?
You use c'è when you are talking about a single item ('there is'). Because we are talking about multiple things here—fifteen or sixteen pens (penne)—you must use the plural form, ci sono ('there are').
Why is it questa scatola and not questo scatola?
Scatola (box) is a feminine singular noun. The word for 'this' (questo) is a pointing word (demonstrative adjective) that has to change its ending to match the noun it describes. Because scatola is feminine, questo becomes questa.

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