Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which comprehension skill involves using higher-level thinking skills to organize information?

1. Critical Thinking

2. Evaluative Comprehension

3. Inferential Comprehension

4. Literal Comprehension

The correct answer is: Critical Thinking

The skill that involves using higher-level thinking skills to organize information is critical thinking. This process enables individuals to analyze and synthesize information rather than just recalling facts. Critical thinking encourages deeper engagement with the material, fostering skills such as evaluation, problem-solving, and decision-making. It requires the reader to not only understand the text but also to connect different ideas, assess their validity, and draw conclusions based on evidence. This skill plays a crucial role in comprehending complex texts and formulating responses that require more than surface-level analysis. When comparing this to the other options, evaluative comprehension pertains more specifically to assessing the value or credibility of the information rather than organizing it. Inferential comprehension involves drawing conclusions based on hints and implied information within the text but does not necessarily emphasize the higher-level thought processes involved in organizing information. Literal comprehension, on the other hand, focuses on understanding the explicit content of the text without delving into more complex analysis or thinking skills.