New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

In the context of informal reading inventories, what do comprehension questions assess?

1. Students' recall of prior knowledge

2. Students' understanding of key ideas and details

3. Students' creative writing skills

4. Students' ability to summarize math problems

The correct answer is: Students' understanding of key ideas and details

Comprehension questions in informal reading inventories specifically assess students' understanding of key ideas and details from the text. They are designed to gauge how well students have grasped the main concepts, themes, and significant information presented in the reading material. This type of assessment helps educators identify students' levels of comprehension, enabling them to tailor instruction and provide targeted support. The focus of these questions on key ideas and details allows teachers to understand if students can not only recall specific information but also comprehend the overall message and implications of the text. This understanding is crucial for developing proficient reading skills, as it goes beyond mere memorization to deeper cognitive processing of the material. Other options, while related to various aspects of literacy and knowledge, do not directly correspond to the primary aim of comprehension questions in informal reading inventories.