def calculate_total_items(input_text):
    # Step 1: Identify the items mentioned in the input text and create a list of items.
    items_list = extract_items(input_text)
    print("Items mentioned:", items_list)

    # Step 2: Determine the type of question asked - whether it is about counting all items or a specific type of items.
    question_type = determine_question_type(input_text)
    print("Question type:", question_type)

    # Step 3: If the question is about counting all items, count each item in the list and output the total count.
    if question_type == 'total_count':
        total_count = len(items_list)
        print("Total count of items:", total_count)
        return total_count

    # Step 4: If the question is about counting a specific type of items, identify and count only the items that belong to that category.
    elif question_type == 'specific_count':
        specific_item = extract_specific_item(input_text)
        specific_count = count_specific_items(items_list, specific_item)
        print(f"Count of {specific_item}s:", specific_count)
        return specific_count

# Helper functions
def extract_items(input_text):
    # Extract and return the list of items mentioned in the input text
    pass

def determine_question_type(input_text):
    # Determine and return the type of question asked (total count or specific count)
    pass

def extract_specific_item(input_text):
    # Extract and return the specific item type mentioned in the question
    pass

def count_specific_items(items_list, specific_item):
    # Count and return the number of specific items in the list
    pass