Reading: Reading Fluency & Strategies
B1 Lesson 3: Making Predictions While Reading
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary
Understanding these terms will help you become a more active reader.
The Active Reading Cycle
Fluent readers are active readers. They constantly think and guess what will happen next. You can do this with a simple four-step cycle.
The 4 Steps of Active Reading
- Predict: Look at the title and any pictures. Make a quick guess about the text.
- Read: Read the first section or paragraph.
- Pause & Check: Stop reading. Was your prediction correct? What new information do you have?
- Revise & Repeat: Make a new prediction about what will happen next, then continue reading!
Practice Walkthrough: "The Unexpected Storm"
Let's practice the cycle with this short story.
Step 1: Predict
The title is "The Unexpected Storm". Our first prediction is that this story will be about a sudden, bad storm.
Step 2: Read Part 1
Sophea and her friend Dara planned a perfect day trip. They decided to rent a kayak to explore the quiet mangroves near Kampot. The sun was shining brightly in a clear blue sky when they started, and the water was completely calm. They paddled for an hour, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature.
Step 3: Pause & Check
- Was our first prediction right so far? No. The weather is actually perfect.
- What do we know now? The title is about a storm, but the story starts with good weather.
Step 4: Revise Prediction & Read Part 2
Our new prediction is that the weather will probably change very suddenly and become bad. Let's read the next part to check.
Suddenly, Dara pointed to the west. Dark, grey clouds were moving in quickly. The wind picked up, creating small waves on the once-calm water. "I think we should head back," Sophea said nervously. They turned the kayak around and started paddling hard against the wind, hoping to reach the shore before the storm hit.
Final Check: Was our revised prediction correct? Yes! By predicting and checking, we stayed more engaged in the story.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Make a Prediction
Read the first part of a story below and predict what will happen next.
"Rithy put his groceries on the kitchen table and reached into his pocket for his moto keys. His pocket was empty. He checked his other pocket. Nothing. He quickly checked the small bag he carried and his backpack. Still nothing. His heart began to beat a little faster as he realized he could not find them anywhere."
Based on this paragraph, what is the most logical prediction for what Rithy will do next?
- A. He will start cooking dinner.
- B. He will begin carefully searching the places he was at earlier today.
- C. He will decide to sell his moto.
→ Answer: B. The text shows he is worried and has already checked his pockets and bags. The next logical step is to retrace his steps.
Key Vocabulary Reference
- Active Reading Engaging with a text by thinking, questioning, and making predictions as you read.
- To Predict To make a smart guess about what will happen next in a text based on clues.
- To Check Understanding To pause during reading to ask yourself, "Do I understand this? Was my prediction correct?"
- To Revise To change or correct a prediction based on new information you have read.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Practice Active Reading!
Find a short story or news article in English.
- Read only the title and write down your first prediction.
- Read the first paragraph. Pause and write down if your prediction was correct.
- Make a new prediction about what the rest of the article will be about.
- Read the rest of the article to check your final prediction!