Investigates the comprehension of combined concepts (such as "peeled apple") in discourse through four experiments by having people verify features that were true of the phrase. Discusses experiments and results. Argues against a compositional model of conceptual combination in which both the modifier and head noun are accessed…

Presents 3 experiments that examine whether Japanese readers activate phonological information when reading kanji compound words and sentences and if so, how they do it. Suggests that readers activate phonological information of two-kanji compound words when reading for comprehension but not for simple proofreading. (SG)

Nursing students (n=24) took conventional individual unit and final exams; 25 others used collaborative testing for units and individual final exams. Overall comprehension was equivalent; collaboration improved unit exam scores. There was indirect evidence that collaboration altered test-taking skills. (SK)

A controlled experiment involving 60 university students enrolled in an introductory psychology course assessed the effects of pre-reading questions on student comprehension of textbook material. Post-reading test results support the instructional practice of encouraging readers to attempt to answer, and not merely read, pre-questions before…

Investigates the influence of metaphors on text processing. Varies the degree of explicitness provided between a metaphor and new information. Finds that metaphors increase learning of the idea units strongly related to the metaphors, and thus can be used to increase learning of particular material in text. (SR)

Proposes an alternative model of language comprehension regarding how people understand idioms in which literal meanings are systematically used to constrain the use and variation of conventional idioms and to generate novel idiom variance. Presents three experiments on how people process variant idioms. (SR)

Tests how domain-related knowledge influences inference generation during text comprehension. Examines local and global inferences. Finds that all knowledge groups process sentences involved in local inferences similarly, but not global inferences. Suggests that individuals with prior knowledge use their knowledge actively to generate global…

Concludes that, whereas inference processing may be impeded by the relative lack of familiarity of the content of expository text, it is not strictly precluded. Indicates rather that inference processing in the comprehension of expository text is regulated by the information-processing constraints of the reading task and by the discourse and…

Lists some of the major typographic variables involved in structured abstracts (containing sub-headings). Illustrates how typography can affect clarity by presenting seven examples that illustrate the effects of these typographic variables in practice. Concludes with a final example of an effective approach. (SR)

Examines the effects of the characteristics of narrative text on generation of thematic inference. Indicates that generation of thematic inference depended on the interaction between the goal of the protagonist and the outcome of a text. Investigates the effects of the title, the goal of the protagonist and the final outcome of a narrative text on…

Reports the effects of metacognitive strategy training in summarization on the ability of foreign language learners to comprehend and summarize expository texts. Notes that the improved summary performance was maintained three weeks after instruction ended. Suggests that explicit instruction in the rules of summarization is an effective tool for…

Probes into some issues arising from the use of transactional theory as a guide for literacy and literature education. Formulates these issues in terms of theoretical distinctions between five pairs of concepts: basic and enhanced literacy; literal comprehension and literary understanding; literary texts and informational texts; aesthetic and…

This study describes the reading and test-taking strategies that test takers used on the "Reading" section of the "LanguEdge Courseware" (2002) materials developed to familiarize prospective respondents with the new TOEFL. The investigation focused on strategies used to respond to more traditional "single selection"…

This volume is the second part of a revision of the 1968 edition of "Elementary Modern Standard Arabic." Part Two begins the transition to the intermediate level of Arabic. Lessons 31-40 anticipate the format of the intermediate text in that the new vocabulary of each lesson is introduced in preparatory sentences, which present the item…

Explores ways in which advanced conversation classrooms may provide the aural and written comprehensible input necessary for fostering the students' continued acquisition of the target language through examination of research and literature on: prelistening, decoding, intensive listening, comprehension, and skill application. (CB)