New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What should teachers do during reading as part of metacognitive strategies?

1. Mark all the unknown words

2. Visualize and make connections

3. Reread without questioning

4. Focus only on reading smoothly

The correct answer is: Visualize and make connections

During reading, employing metacognitive strategies involves actively reflecting on one’s own thinking and comprehension processes. Visualizing and making connections are key aspects of this. When students visualize what they are reading, they create mental images that help enhance understanding and retention of the material. Making connections—whether to prior knowledge, personal experiences, or other texts—further deepens comprehension and facilitates engagement with the text. This strategy encourages learners to actively monitor their understanding and adjust their reading strategies accordingly. In contrast, marking all unknown words may create frustration and hinder reading flow rather than encourage comprehension. Rereading without questioning does not promote critical thinking or reflection on comprehension, and focusing solely on reading smoothly can lead to overlooking the deeper understanding of the text. Integrating visualization and connections into reading effectively supports metacognitive awareness and improves overall reading skills.