When using think-alouds, which aspects are modeled to support comprehension?

• A. Monitoring understanding, clarifying confusion, predicting, summarizing, and asking questions.
• B. Only decoding words aloud.
• C. Reading aloud without commentary.
• D. Discussing personal opinions unrelated to text.

Answer: (C)

Think-alouds reveal the mental steps a reader uses to make meaning as they read. When you model a think-aloud, you show how you keep track of understanding, notice when something doesn’t make sense, and decide how to repair understanding. You also demonstrate predicting what might happen next, summarizing the key ideas so far, and asking questions that probe the text. This live demonstration helps students see concrete strategies they can use to stay engaged with the text and build comprehension. Decoding words aloud is important, but it’s about pronunciation and fluency, not the ongoing comprehension strategies think-alouds are illustrating. Reading aloud without commentary doesn’t expose the thinking process, and discussing opinions unrelated to the text doesn’t support understanding. So, think-alouds model monitoring understanding, clarifying confusion, predicting, summarizing, and asking questions.