Which practice is essential for promoting text comprehension?

Encouraging students to ask questions about the text is essential for promoting text comprehension because it actively engages them in the reading process. When students formulate questions, they are compelled to think critically about the content, context, and meaning of the text. This practice fosters a deeper understanding and retention of what they are reading, as it prompts them to seek answers and explore the material more thoroughly. Engaging with the text through inquiry also helps students make connections to their prior knowledge and encourages them to reflect on their thoughts, which can enhance their analytical skills and overall comprehension.

In contrast, practices such as focusing solely on memorizing facts, limiting interactions with the text, or relying exclusively on multiple-choice tests do not contribute as effectively to deeper understanding. Memorization can lead to surface-level knowledge rather than meaningful comprehension. Limiting interactions with the text restricts opportunities for discussion, exploration, and critical thinking. Solely using multiple-choice tests can assess recall rather than comprehension, as they may not measure a student’s ability to analyze, synthesize, or evaluate information from the text. Thus, encouraging inquiry through questioning is a far more effective approach in helping students develop a strong grasp of the material.