Which statement best reflects how skilled readers approach text?

• A. They decode every word before deriving meaning
• B. They rely on context and reading strategies to construct meaning
• C. They focus only on pictures
• D. They memorize lists of words

Answer: (B)

Skilled readers construct meaning by using context and a repertoire of reading strategies rather than laboring to decode every word. They recognize words automatically so their attention can turn to understanding, using clues from the surrounding text, their background knowledge, and features of the text (structure, purpose, genre). They actively employ strategies like predicting what comes next, asking questions, clarifying meaning, and summarizing to make sense of the text, and they monitor their understanding, adjusting when something doesn’t fit. Focusing only on pictures or memorizing lists of words doesn’t support full comprehension of a real reading passage, while the ability to use context and strategies leads to deeper meaning.