Text-dependent questions are questions that can only be answered by referring back to the text being read. These questions require readers to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions based on the specific information provided in the text itself, making close reading a crucial skill. The references provided highlight the importance of analyzing elements within a text to answer text-dependent questions.
Understanding Text-Dependent Questions
Here's a breakdown of what constitutes a text-dependent question and examples based on the provided reference snippets:
- Focus on Specific Textual Elements: The answers lie within the text.
- Require Close Reading: Students must carefully analyze the text.
- Promote Deeper Comprehension: These questions go beyond simple recall.
Types of Text-Dependent Questions & Examples
Based on the provided reference points, here are examples of text-dependent questions categorized by what they are asking you to look for:
| Category | Question Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Author's Word Choice | What specific words or phrases does the author use to describe the setting? | This requires students to identify specific language the author employs, rather than general impressions. |
| Character Interaction | How does the main character's treatment of other characters evolve? | This demands an analysis of the character's behavior within the story, not based on outside assumptions. |
| Evidence Analysis | What evidence does the author include to support the claim that...? | Students must find explicit support within the text. |
| Character Development | How does the main character change throughout the story, and what causes it? | This compels readers to track the character's arc and identify textual evidence of change and its causes, not just offer subjective opinions. |
Importance of Text-Dependent Questions
Text-dependent questions are valuable because they:
- Encourage students to engage deeply with the text.
- Help students develop critical thinking skills.
- Provide evidence-based reasoning.
- Build a strong foundation for reading comprehension.
