Which evidence suggests a student struggles to relate background knowledge to text?

The student's unfamiliarity with the topic of the text is a clear indicator that they may struggle to relate their background knowledge to what they read. Background knowledge plays a crucial role in reading comprehension; it helps readers make connections, infer meaning, and engage with the content on a deeper level. When a student lacks familiarity with the subject matter, they may find it challenging to integrate new information with their existing knowledge, which can hinder their understanding and interpretation of the text.

In contrast, enthusiasm for reading, the ability to answer complex questions well, and accurately summarizing a text generally reflect a certain level of comprehension and engagement with the material. These latter skills indicate that the student is effectively relating background knowledge to the text in some capacity, whereas unfamiliarity with the topic suggests a barrier to making those connections.