Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Encouraging students to ask, "What is this text mostly about?" is an effective strategy for helping them identify the main idea because it prompts them to think critically about the central theme or overarching message conveyed in the text. This question directs their focus to the text as a whole rather than to isolated details.

When students reflect on the general purpose of the text, they are better able to synthesize information and discern the key points that reveal what the author intends to communicate. This approach fosters comprehension and aids in the development of analytical skills, which are essential for reading proficiency.

Other strategies, such as memorizing the text or summarizing each sentence, may lead to superficial engagement with the material. Memorization does not promote understanding, and summarizing every sentence can distract from identifying the main idea by isolating sections instead of considering the text's overall message. Analyzing vocabulary can enhance word recognition and comprehension but may not directly guide students to the main idea, which is a broader conceptual understanding of the text.