Understanding the Reading Process in Class V

The question describes a teaching scenario where a Class V teacher asks students to read a text thoroughly and then answer questions based on that specific text, requiring them to refer back to the context (RTC). This method aims to develop a specific reading skill. Let's explore the different reading skills mentioned in the options to understand which one is being encouraged.

Reading Skills Explained

• Extensive Reading: This involves reading longer texts for general understanding, pleasure, or gaining broad knowledge. The focus is usually on fluency and overall comprehension rather than specific details. Example: Reading a storybook or a magazine article just for enjoyment.
• Scanning: This is a rapid reading technique used to find a specific piece of information (like a name, date, number, or keyword) without reading every word. Example: Quickly looking through a phone book to find a specific name.
• Skimming: This is a technique for reading quickly to get the main idea or gist of a text. It involves reading headings, subheadings, the first and last sentences of paragraphs, and looking for keywords. Example: Reading a news headline and the first paragraph to understand the main point of the story quickly.
• Intensive Reading: This involves careful, detailed reading of a short text to understand every piece of information, including grammar, vocabulary, and specific meanings. It is often done for specific learning purposes, such as answering comprehension questions, analyzing text structure, or understanding complex ideas. This requires reading thoroughly.

Connecting the Scenario to Reading Skills

The teacher's instructions emphasize two key aspects:

• Reading Thoroughly: This means paying close attention to the details within the text, not just the main idea or specific facts.
• Answering Questions with Reference to the Context (RTC): This requires students to locate specific information within the text and use the surrounding sentences (the context) to formulate their answers. This directly links their answers to the details they read.

These requirements align perfectly with the definition of intensive reading. Students need to engage deeply with the text to ensure they understand all the nuances required to answer the questions accurately based on the specific details provided.

Conclusion on Encouraged Skill

By asking students to read thoroughly and answer questions using reference to the context, the teacher is actively promoting and developing their intensive reading abilities. This practice helps build strong reading comprehension skills, enabling students to analyze texts in detail.