Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which comprehension level involves reading the lines and understanding exactly what is on the page?

1. Critical Comprehension

2. Evaluative Comprehension

3. Literal Comprehension

4. Inferential Comprehension

The correct answer is: Critical Comprehension

The correct answer is literal comprehension. This level of comprehension focuses on the ability to understand and interpret the explicit information presented in a text. When a reader engages in literal comprehension, they are reading the lines and taking away the exact meanings of the words, phrases, and sentences without delving into any underlying implications or themes. This is essential for building a foundation for deeper analysis, as it ensures that readers grasp the basic content and context before moving onto more complex levels of understanding. Critical comprehension, evaluative comprehension, and inferential comprehension all require additional cognitive processes, such as analyzing arguments, assessing the validity of information, or reading between the lines to determine meaning that isn't directly stated. These higher-order thinking skills build on the foundational skills developed through literal comprehension.