Reading Comprehension Categories

Literal, Inferential, and Evaluative Reading Comprehension

High functioning readers are able to understand a text on all three of these levels.

Literal questions have responses that are directly stated in the text.The reader simply needs to locate the information and copy, paraphrase or summarize it.
Inferential questions have responses that are indirectly stated, implied, or require other information.The reader needs to connect the dots and make conclusions about material presented in the text to come up with insights that are not explicitly stated in the text.
Evaluative questions require the reader to formulate a response based on their previous reading experience, their life experience, and their opinions on issues relevant to the text.

Literal comprehension	Inferential comprehension	Evaluative comprehension
summarize, count, name, list, copy, record, retell	identify (time and place for example), classify, categorize, explain, predict, analyze	reflect, relate, compare, rank, critique, dispute, challenge, extend, imitate, adapt (poem, song, drawing)
Sample questions	Sample questions	Sample questions
How many characters are there? What color is the _____? What is the name of the main character? List the places they visit. What does X say in response to Y? What happens in this chapter?	Why does X do that? What does X care most about? What kind of environments does X live/work in? Who or what is X’s friend… antagonist? What is X likely to do next? What are the root causes of X’s problems? What kinds of conflicts or problems does X face? What kinds of people does X meet? Is the narrator telling the story a reliable source of info?	What other characters from other books does X remind you of? Where have you encountered similar conflicts or settings? What would make this story more effective? Which episode is the most impactful to you? Why? What might a sequel or a prequel to this look like? How realistic is this story? What outside knowledge do you need to understand and appreciate this book?

Read the text below on the left and then identify what level of comprehension each question on the right is targeting. Literal, Inferential, or Evaluative

Puppies are very small when they are born. They cannot see until they are about two weeks old. During this time, they stay very close to their mothers.

What are puppies like when they are born?
Are puppies born blind?
Why do they stay close to their mothers?
Would you like to have a puppy?

Your challenge is practice generating reading responses which provide evidence that you can read and comprehend a variety of texts on all three levels.