Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

What does literal comprehension involve?

1. Making predictions

2. Identifying implied meanings

3. Determining explicitly stated main ideas

4. Recognizing the author's bias

The correct answer is: Determining explicitly stated main ideas

Literal comprehension focuses on the ability to understand and interpret information that is directly stated in a text. It involves grasping the explicit meanings of words, phrases, and sentences, and importantly, determining the main ideas presented by the author without inferring or reading between the lines. By focusing on the explicit content, readers can accurately identify key information, such as the main themes or supporting details in a passage. This foundational skill is essential for developing further comprehension abilities, such as making inferences or critically evaluating the text. Understanding literal comprehension is crucial as it lays the groundwork for more complex levels of interpretation. Readers who are skilled in literal comprehension can utilize these details to assist them in forming connections and insights that go beyond the surface level of the text.