Active readers don't just take in words — they predict what might happen next based on clues in the text, and ask questions as they read to check their own understanding. Predicting keeps you engaged and helps you notice whether the text confirms or surprises your expectations. Questioning (like "why did that happen?" or "what does this word mean?") helps you spot gaps in your understanding before they become a problem.
Example
Reading the first page of a mystery story, you might predict "I think the missing necklace was taken by the butler" based on clues, then keep reading to check if you were right — adjusting your prediction as new clues appear.
Key terms
Prediction:
A reasonable guess about what might happen next, based on clues in the text.
Active reading:
Reading while thinking, questioning and predicting rather than just taking in words passively.
Questions
1. A prediction while reading is:
A random guess with no basis
A reasonable guess based on clues in the text
A type of punctuation
The title of the book
2. Active reading means:
Reading passively without thinking
Reading while thinking, questioning and predicting
Skipping the text entirely
Reading only the last page
3. Asking yourself questions while reading mainly helps you:
Ignore the text
Notice gaps in your own understanding
Avoid reading further
Remove punctuation
4. Predictions should be based on:
Clues already in the text
Nothing at all
The book's cover colour only
Random guessing
5. If a prediction turns out to be wrong, a good reader should:
Stop reading immediately
Adjust their understanding and keep reading
Ignore the rest of the book
Refuse to read further
6. Predicting what happens next is most useful for:
Staying engaged and checking understanding
Avoiding the text completely
Replacing note-taking entirely
Ending the story early
7. A good question to ask while reading might be:
What time is it?
Why did that character make that choice?
What is my favourite colour?
None of these
8. A reader notices dark clouds and a nervous character early in a story and predicts a storm is coming. This prediction is based on:
Random guessing
Clues in the text
The book's title only
Nothing at all
9. If a text confirms a reader's prediction, this usually means the reader:
Picked up on relevant clues correctly
Wasted their time
Should stop reading
Misread the whole text
10. If a text surprises a reader's prediction, a good next step is to:
Refuse to accept the new information
Reread and adjust understanding based on the new information
Stop reading immediately
Ignore what happened
11. Questioning while reading a non-fiction text might include asking:
What is this word's colour?
Why does the author think this is true?
What time is it right now?
None of these
12. Predicting and questioning are strategies used mainly to:
Replace reading altogether
Deepen understanding and engagement with a text
Avoid finishing a text
Remove the need for a title
13. A reader who never questions or predicts while reading a complex text risks:
Understanding it more deeply
Missing important connections and meaning
Reading too actively
Enjoying it more
14. Which is the best example of active questioning while reading a science article?
I wonder why this reaction happens?
What day is it?
I like this font.
None of these
15. A reader predicts a character will fail, based on repeated hints of poor decisions. When the character succeeds unexpectedly, a skilled reader would:
Assume they misread everything
Consider how the author built in a twist and reread key clues
Ignore the twist entirely
Stop analysing the text
16. Predicting outcomes and then checking them against the text mainly builds a reader's:
Ability to monitor their own understanding
Handwriting speed
Vocabulary size only
Typing speed
17. Which strategy would most help a reader understand an unfamiliar and complex non-fiction article?
Reading once with no questions
Predicting the content from headings, then questioning unclear parts while reading
Skipping straight to the conclusion
Ignoring all headings
18. A reader who questions "why would the author include this detail?" is practising:
Passive reading
Critical, active reading
Skimming only
Scanning only
19. Comparing an initial prediction to what actually happens in a text can help a reader:
Understand how the author built the story or argument
Avoid understanding the text
Ignore character development
Replace the need to read the ending
20. The main purpose of predicting and questioning while reading is to:
Turn reading into an active, thoughtful process rather than a passive one
Make reading take much longer for no reason
Replace the need for comprehension entirely
Avoid needing to reread anything
Answer key (parent copy)
1. A reasonable guess based on clues in the text
2. Reading while thinking, questioning and predicting
3. Notice gaps in your own understanding
4. Clues already in the text
5. Adjust their understanding and keep reading
6. Staying engaged and checking understanding
7. Why did that character make that choice?
8. Clues in the text
9. Picked up on relevant clues correctly
10. Reread and adjust understanding based on the new information
11. Why does the author think this is true?
12. Deepen understanding and engagement with a text
13. Missing important connections and meaning
14. I wonder why this reaction happens?
15. Consider how the author built in a twist and reread key clues
16. Ability to monitor their own understanding
17. Predicting the content from headings, then questioning unclear parts while reading
18. Critical, active reading
19. Understand how the author built the story or argument
20. Turn reading into an active, thoughtful process rather than a passive one