What is the main objective of using a "think-aloud" strategy in reading?

The main objective of using a "think-aloud" strategy in reading is to model comprehension strategies for students by verbalizing thought processes. This approach allows educators to demonstrate how skilled readers approach a text, think critically about its content, make inferences, and reflect on their understanding as they encounter various aspects of reading.

When a teacher uses the think-aloud strategy, they articulate their thoughts as they read, providing insight into their cognitive processes. This modeling helps students recognize the strategies and mental activities that contribute to effective comprehension, such as predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing. By overhearing the teacher's internal dialogue, students can learn to apply similar strategies independently, enhancing their own reading comprehension.

The other options do not align with the primary goal of the think-aloud strategy. For example, while it could indirectly support writing development or encourage silent reading, these are not the main focus of this particular strategy. Similarly, while assessing prior knowledge is important in education, it does not directly relate to the think-aloud method's intent to develop comprehension skills.