New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is one benefit of shared reading for students?

1. They read at their own pace individually

2. They improve their writing skills simultaneously

3. They follow along and engage with the text

4. They evaluate each other's fluency in reading

The correct answer is: They follow along and engage with the text

Shared reading offers a multitude of benefits for students, and one key advantage is that it allows them to follow along and actively engage with the text as a group. During shared reading, a teacher typically reads a text aloud while students look at the same text—this can be through a big book, a projected document, or individual copies. This setting not only provides an opportunity for students to hear fluent reading modeled by the teacher but also encourages them to participate by following along visually. Such engagement reinforces comprehension skills, as students can connect spoken words to the written text, enhancing their understanding and retention of the material. This collective experience can foster a sense of community among students as they share their thoughts and interpretations, further deepening their engagement with the content. The other options describe scenarios that do not encapsulate the core benefit of shared reading. Individual pacing does not align with the shared nature of this practice. Simultaneously improving writing skills typically requires different instructional approaches that focus on writing rather than shared reading itself. Evaluating fluency does not capture the primary focus of shared reading, which is more centered on comprehension and collective engagement rather than assessment.