Which statement best describes the purpose of the think-aloud technique?

• A. Improve handwriting
• B. Make visible the cognitive processes behind comprehension
• C. Increase reading rate
• D. Teach spelling patterns

Answer: (B)

Think-alouds are about making the reader’s thinking visible while they read. By verbalizing the strategies and questions they’re using in real time—like predicting what will come next, decoding tricky words, checking for understanding, or clarifying confusing ideas—students reveal how they construct meaning from the text. Teachers can listen for these strategies and tailor instruction to strengthen comprehension, model how to approach difficult passages, and notice where a reader might get stuck.

This isn’t about handwriting, reading speed, or spelling patterns. Those skills involve different goals and practices. Think-alouds focus on the mental steps behind understanding the text, which helps students become more aware of their own thinking and become better readers.