What is the primary purpose of reading comprehension?

The primary purpose of reading comprehension is to understand what is read. This involves not just decoding the words on the page but also grasping the meaning behind them, making connections with prior knowledge, and interpreting the information in a meaningful way. Effective reading comprehension enables readers to analyze text, draw conclusions, and engage with the material critically. This understanding is crucial for applying the information in various contexts, whether in academic work or real-life situations.

While recalling facts, memorizing content, and predicting outcomes may all be aspects of the reading process, they do not encompass the full scope of reading comprehension. Memorization, for instance, focuses on retaining information rather than understanding it within a context. Similarly, predicting outcomes can enhance comprehension but is not the fundamental purpose by itself.