The Processing Strategies of average and below Average Readers Answering Factual and Inferential Questions on Three Equivalent Passages

Abstract

This study examines the processing strategies of average and below average readers in response to factual and inferential questions. Thirty-six sixth and seventh grade students were given three equivalent passages of 1500 words to read. With each passage, Ss were given four factual and four inferential questions, placed as pre-questions, post-questions, or interspersed questions. The Ss, tested individually, answered the adjunct questions orally and were probed for explanations of their answers. The study concludes that average readers perform better than below average readers on inferential, but not on factual questions on two of the three passages. Ability to synthesize and organize a response, and sensitivity to the author's style and message are cited as plausible explanations for these results.

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