Reading Strategy: Ask Questions

Good readers stop and ask themselves questions as they read. This helps them check their understanding of the text.

Reading Strategy: Ask Questions
    How to Self-Question

  • 1. Pause when you read. Ask yourself one of the 5Ws and H questions: Who?, What?, Where?, When?, Why?, and How?

  • 2. Answer the question clearly in your own words.

  • 3. If you can’t answer a question on your own, go back and reread to find the answer.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student asked questions.

Look Into the Text: America in 1950

A Divided Society

The 1950s were good years for many Americans. They had jobs that paid well, new homes in the suburbs, and good schools for their children. But African Americans were one group who did not share fully in all this. In the 1950s, prejudice against African Americans was widespread in the United States. One of the worst results of this prejudice was segregation, the practice of keeping people apart based on race.

Question-Answer Chart

QuestionAnswer
Why were the 1950s good years?Many people had jobs, new homes, and their children went to good schools.
Who did not share in this?African Americans were one group.

Practice Together

As you reread the passage, follow the steps in the How-To box to ask questions. Write them in a chart like the one above.