Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) Practice

What technique is most commonly used for assessing reading comprehension?

1. Merely observing students during reading

2. Asking students to retell or summarize the text

3. Using standardized tests exclusively

4. Providing interesting videos related to the text

The correct answer is: Asking students to retell or summarize the text

Asking students to retell or summarize the text is an effective technique for assessing reading comprehension because it requires learners to process the information they have read and articulate their understanding in their own words. This approach allows educators to gauge not only recall but also the depth of understanding, inference skills, and the ability to make connections within the text. By retelling or summarizing, students demonstrate comprehension through the synthesis of ideas, which reveals how well they have grasped the main points and key details of the material. This method encourages students to engage actively with the text, leading to more meaningful comprehension assessment. While observing students during reading can provide insights into their engagement and fluency, it does not necessarily measure comprehension directly. Relying solely on standardized tests may limit the assessment to specific formats and not capture a student's full understanding. Providing videos can enhance motivation and background knowledge but does not assess reading comprehension of the text itself. This is why summarization or retelling is preferred for a comprehensive assessment of reading understanding.