Reading Comprehension: Factors Derived from the Reader

Our study is on Reading Comprehension and factors derived from the reader. According to the cognitivist-constructivist perspective in the area of Psycholinguistics adopted, we study Portuguese pupils of the 4th year, and we tested them with a cloze test in a literary text and in a non-literary text, and we questioned them about if they knew them previously and their theme. As most of the hypotheses were proven, we concluded that previous knowledge of the text and its theme is relevant for reading comprehension. These findings have implications when students make inferences about their understanding and memory of a text or its theme-based on a cloze test without first receiving feedback. Their reading comprehension can be improved through an interactive pre-reading strategy promoted by the teacher and consists of a debate among students related to the theme of the text to be read, to activate their prior knowledge. The teacher's role is fundamental in the choice of reading material and the adoption of appropriate strategies for the student, considering his level of development.