Which type of comprehension involves identifying and interpreting explicit information in a text?

The correct answer is literal comprehension, which refers to the ability to understand and interpret the explicit information that is directly stated in a text. This type of comprehension involves skills such as recalling facts, summarizing main ideas, and recognizing details that are clearly outlined by the author. In literal comprehension, readers focus on the surface meaning of the text, which includes identifying characters, events, settings, and main ideas without needing to make inferences or draw conclusions that go beyond what is directly presented.

For example, if a reader is asked to summarize the events of a story based on what is directly stated, they are exercising literal comprehension. This foundational comprehension skill is crucial for building more advanced understanding, as it lays the groundwork for inferential and evaluative comprehension that require deeper analysis and interpretation of the text. Therefore, literal comprehension is essential in helping students recognize and process the core content of the material they read.