New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which teaching strategy can enhance student's understanding of text structures?

1. Encouraging silent reading without discussion

2. Asking students to describe different text structures

3. Only focusing on language mechanics

4. Limiting discussions to personal opinions about texts

The correct answer is: Asking students to describe different text structures

Asking students to describe different text structures is a highly effective teaching strategy for enhancing their understanding. When students articulate the characteristics of various text structures—such as chronological order, cause and effect, problem and solution, or compare and contrast—they engage in critical thinking and deepen their comprehension of how different formats convey meaning. This active participation encourages them to recognize the organizational patterns within texts, which can significantly improve their reading skills. By understanding these structures, students can more easily navigate complex texts and improve their ability to summarize, analyze, and synthesize information. Other methods, such as encouraging silent reading without discussion or limiting discussions to personal opinions, might not provide the necessary scaffolding for students to grasp the intricacies of text structures. Focusing solely on language mechanics can also overlook the importance of content organization, leaving students without a full understanding of how structure influences meaning. Thus, actively describing and discussing text structures enables students to develop a more comprehensive reading strategy that improves both comprehension and retention.