North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is the likely outcome of giving a chapter book above grade level to students at varying reading levels?

1. All students will succeed

2. Students will develop positive reading habits

3. Students reading below grade level will improve

4. It will fail, causing frustration for some students

The correct answer is: It will fail, causing frustration for some students

Providing a chapter book that is above the grade level of students who have varying reading skills is likely to lead to frustration for some. When students encounter texts that are too challenging, they may struggle with comprehension, experience difficulty decoding the words, and feel overwhelmed by the advanced vocabulary and ideas presented in the book. This can lead to disengagement from reading altogether, as the experience may diminish their confidence and motivation to read. While it is true that some students might be able to tackle more advanced texts with support or interest, typically those reading significantly below grade level may not relate to or understand the material fully. This lack of understanding can result in a disheartening learning experience, ultimately hampering their growth as readers, as they might equate reading with struggle rather than enjoyment or learning. The other outcomes, such as universal success, development of positive reading habits, or improvement for struggling readers, are less likely to occur in this context because the mismatch between reading ability and text complexity can lead to negative experiences rather than positive academic growth.