Why is active reading significant during comprehension tasks?

Active reading is significant during comprehension tasks primarily because it enhances understanding, retention, and critical analysis. When engaged in active reading, a reader involves themselves deeply with the material by making annotations, asking questions, and summarizing content as they go along. This interactive approach allows readers to process information more thoughtfully, leading to better comprehension.

Additionally, active reading encourages readers to make connections between new information and what they already know, fostering greater engagement with the text. This integrated understanding is crucial for retaining information over the long term and for building analytical skills that can be applied in various contexts, such as problem-solving or critiquing arguments.

In contrast, focusing solely on vocabulary or encouraging passive reading would not support thorough comprehension. While reducing reading time may be beneficial in some contexts, it is not the primary goal of active reading.