FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What alternative method can a teacher use to assess a student's reading comprehension instead of a multiple-choice test?

1. Have students summarize the passage

2. Administer a timed reading test

3. Conduct group discussions about the text

4. Assign a written essay response

The correct answer is: Have students summarize the passage

Having students summarize the passage stands out as a highly effective alternative method for assessing reading comprehension. This approach requires students to distill the central ideas and key details of a text, which demonstrates their understanding of the material. Summarization goes beyond mere recall; it involves processing information, discerning main points, and expressing those points in their own words. This method allows teachers to gauge not only what the students remember but how well they can interpret and synthesize information. In addition, summarization encourages critical thinking skills, as students must determine what is essential to include in their summary. It also fosters communication skills, as students learn to articulate their understanding clearly and concisely. Overall, this method provides deeper insights into a student's comprehension than simply selecting correct answers in a multiple-choice format, where guessing can play a role. The other options, while valuable for different learning outcomes, do not provide the same level of insight into reading comprehension specifically. For instance, conducting group discussions about the text engages students in collaborative learning but may not accurately reflect individual understanding. Timed reading tests primarily measure reading fluency rather than comprehension. Assigning a written essay response might assess comprehension, but it is typically more structured and may also evaluate writing skills, potentially obscuring the focus