What is the primary purpose of think-alouds in comprehension instruction?

• A. To model cognitive strategies for monitoring understanding
• B. To test memory of facts
• C. To gauge handwriting speed
• D. To measure fluency

Answer: (A)

Think-alouds reveal how a reader uses thinking strategies during reading to keep or repair understanding. The main purpose is to model, in real time, the cognitive steps a reader takes to monitor comprehension—noticing when something doesn’t make sense, asking questions, making predictions, clarifying word meanings, and deciding when to reread or adjust strategies. When students hear or see these internal processes verbalized, they learn to apply the same routines themselves, which strengthens their ability to understand what they read. Think-alouds aren’t about testing memory, handwriting speed, or fluency; they’re about making the thinking that happens during reading visible so students can imitate it.