What strategy can help promote critical thinking during reading?

• A. Encouraging memorization of facts from the text
• B. Asking students to copy sentences from the book
• C. Encouraging students to make predictions and draw conclusions
• D. Limiting students' questions to yes or no answers

Answer: (C)

Encouraging students to make predictions and draw conclusions during reading is an effective strategy for promoting critical thinking. This approach allows students to engage actively with the text, encouraging them to think beyond the surface level. By predicting what might happen next or deducing the implications of certain information, students are integrating their prior knowledge with new information, making connections that deepen their understanding. This process fosters analytical skills, as students learn to assess information critically and form their own interpretations.

In contrast, strategies focused on memorization or copying do not engage students in higher-order thinking. These approaches often lead to a passive consumption of information rather than an interactive process of inquiry and reflection. Moreover, limiting students' questions to yes or no answers restricts their ability to explore the text more deeply and stifles their curiosity, which is essential for fostering critical thinking skills.