FTCE Reading K-12 Practice Exam

Prior knowledge plays a crucial role in reading comprehension because it enables students to connect new information with what they already know. When students encounter new concepts, their existing knowledge serves as a framework for understanding the text. This integration helps them make sense of unfamiliar content, draw inferences, and construct a more comprehensive understanding of the material. As they relate new information to previous experiences or knowledge, readers are more likely to engage with the text meaningfully, improving their overall comprehension and retention of the information. The other options suggest that prior knowledge either hinders understanding or is irrelevant, which does not align with the principles of effective reading comprehension.