One in a series of reading, writing, and mathematics subject booklets offered to acquaint teachers with the skills tested in each content area on the New Jersey High School Proficiency Test, this booklet on reading presents material that can be used in lesson planning and preparation of materials to ensure coverage of all skills throughout the year. Following a report of the reading committee convened in 1983 to help identify the skills to be tested, the next two sections outline the reading skills assessed on the test (literal comprehension and vocabulary, inferential comprehension, and study skills) and provide a description of the general conditions and the context in which each reading skill will be evaluated. The proceeding section contains a number of examples of high school proficiency test items from previous years, organized according to the specific skill areas that are discussed in the initial sections. A cross reference of skills and test items is included. The booklet concludes with a feedback form on which the New Jersey State Department of Education asks participating teachers to evaluate the booklet. (AEW)