Diagnostic Quiz
Complete this 5-question quiz on Moodle before class. Adaptive feedback will be provided after each answer.
Teacher Note: Use quiz data to form mixed-ability groups before the session.
Question 1: Zone of Proximal Development
Which statement best describes Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development?
A. The range of tasks a learner can complete independently
B. The distance between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with guidance
C. The cognitive development stage appropriate for a learner's age
D. The amount of time needed for a learner to master a skill
Correct! The ZPD is the distance between independent performance and assisted performance. This is where scaffolding is most effective.
Question 2: Purpose of Think-Aloud
What is the main purpose of a think-aloud?
A. To test students' comprehension after reading
B. To make invisible reading strategies visible and explicit
C. To simplify the text for struggling readers
D. To encourage students to read aloud in class
Correct! Think-alouds reveal the cognitive processes expert readers use automatically, making them accessible for learners.
Question 3: Annotation Symbols
Which annotation symbol might a reader use to show a personal connection to the text?
A. ? (question mark)
B. * (star)
C. C (connection)
D. ! (exclamation)
Correct! The "C" symbol represents connections: text-to-self, text-to-text, or text-to-world.
Question 4: Scaffolding vs. Simplifying
"Scaffolding" in reading instruction means:
A. Permanently reducing text difficulty for struggling readers
B. Providing temporary support that is gradually removed
C. Avoiding challenging texts until students are ready
D. Giving students the answers when they ask questions
Correct! Scaffolding is temporary, strategic support that fades as learners gain independence—not permanent simplification.
Question 5: Reading Strategies
Which of the following is a reading strategy an expert reader might verbalize during a think-aloud?
A. "I'm predicting what will happen next based on this clue..."
B. "This word has three syllables."
C. "The author uses a metaphor here."
D. "This text is written at a Grade 8 level."
Correct! Prediction is a comprehension strategy. Option B focuses on decoding, not comprehension; C names a device without showing thinking; D is meta-analysis, not active reading.