In book-reading discussions, which practice supports comprehension when interacting with the text and pictures?

• A. Repeat the teacher's questions.
• B. Read aloud without looking at the text.
• C. Ask and answer questions about the text and refer to pictures.
• D. Ignore the pictures.

Answer: (C)

Engaging with both the text and the pictures by asking and answering questions helps students actively construct meaning. When readers pose questions about what’s happening, why characters act a certain way, or what a picture shows, they link words to visuals, clarify confusion, and build inferences. Referring to pictures provides visual cues that support vocabulary, comprehension of events, and predictions, making the content easier to understand and remember.

Repeatedly hearing the teacher’s questions without personal engagement tends to be passive and doesn’t require students to vocalize or test their understanding. Reading aloud without looking at the text deprives readers of the actual cues in print, limiting comprehension and decoding. Ignoring the pictures misses valuable context that helps interpret the text and connect ideas to imagery.