Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What best describes paired reading?

1. Reading aloud together as a class

2. One student reads silently while another listens and provides feedback

3. A group of students reading the same text repeatedly

4. A teacher reading to students

The correct answer is: One student reads silently while another listens and provides feedback

Paired reading is characterized by one student reading silently while another listens and provides feedback. This collaborative approach allows the listening student to engage actively with the reading material by offering constructive insights and encouraging the reader. It enhances comprehension and fluency for both participants, as the listening student can ask questions or express confusions, promoting a deeper understanding of the text. In this practice, the focus is on individual student interaction while fostering a supportive atmosphere where students feel comfortable sharing their reading experiences. Such dynamics are essential in developing critical reading skills and building confidence. The other choices represent different forms of reading but do not encapsulate the core idea of paired reading, which hinges on the interaction between two students in a mutually beneficial process. Reading aloud together as a class involves group participation without the individualized feedback aspect, while a group of students reading the same text repeatedly focuses on group dynamics rather than the dyadic interaction of paired reading. Similarly, a teacher reading to students does not involve the active participation of both students as seen in paired reading.