Which tactic helps readers monitor comprehension when encountering unfamiliar terms?

• A. Clarify unfamiliar terms
• B. Use context clues
• C. Look up every word in a dictionary
• D. Re-read the sentence and move on

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how to keep understanding as you read by addressing gaps in meaning. When you come across an unfamiliar term, clarifying its meaning right away helps you stay on track with the message. By defining the term or restating it in your own words, you lock in a clear understanding of what the author is conveying and prevent misreading later sentences. This practice also grows your vocabulary because you attach a precise sense to the word in the context you read.

Context clues can be helpful, but they aren’t always enough—some terms are technical or obscure, and guessing from surrounding words can lead to incorrect interpretations. Checking every word in a dictionary slows you down and can break the flow of reading, while simply re-reading and moving on may cause you to miss important ideas. Clarifying unfamiliar terms directly targets the moment you don’t understand and ensures you continue with accurate comprehension.