Which term describes a structured body of knowledge that guides expectations when reading?

Which term describes a structured body of knowledge that guides expectations when reading?

• A. Schema
• B. Reading
• C. Phonology
• D. Graphic

Answer: (A)

Readers bring to a text a mental framework that organizes knowledge and prior experience. This framework, called a schema, guides expectations as you read by helping you predict what might happen, what settings or characters are likely, and what vocabulary or details could appear. Activating your schema before and during reading makes it easier to connect new information to what you already know, fill in gaps, and monitor your understanding as you go. For example, if you’ve read about visiting a doctor before, your schema about medical visits helps you anticipate words like appointment, examination, or prescription, making unfamiliar details easier to grasp. In contrast, the act of reading is simply decoding text, phonology is the study of sound systems in language, and a graphic element refers to visuals or organizers—not the mental knowledge framework that guides expectations.

Readers bring to a text a mental framework that organizes knowledge and prior experience. This framework, called a schema, guides expectations as you read by helping you predict what might happen, what settings or characters are likely, and what vocabulary or details could appear. Activating your schema before and during reading makes it easier to connect new information to what you already know, fill in gaps, and monitor your understanding as you go. For example, if you’ve read about visiting a doctor before, your schema about medical visits helps you anticipate words like appointment, examination, or prescription, making unfamiliar details easier to grasp. In contrast, the act of reading is simply decoding text, phonology is the study of sound systems in language, and a graphic element refers to visuals or organizers—not the mental knowledge framework that guides expectations.