What does effective reading comprehension involve, aside from understanding the words?

Effective reading comprehension indeed extends beyond merely understanding the words on the page. It entails recognizing the context and underlying messages within the text. This means that a reader must discern not only the literal meaning of the words but also the nuances, themes, and implications behind them. For example, understanding character motivations, themes, the historical context in which a text was written, and the author's purpose all contribute significantly to a deeper comprehension of the material.

Comprehending context helps readers make connections between different ideas and relate the text to broader concepts, enhancing their overall understanding and engagement with the material. This skill is crucial for analyzing literature, complex texts, or any content that requires critical thinking.

The other options do not contribute effectively to reading comprehension. Memorizing facts about the author (the first choice) does not help in understanding the text itself; speed reading without analyzing content (the third option) compromises comprehension; and ignoring punctuation and structure (the fourth choice) can lead to misinterpretation of the text. Thus, recognizing context and underlying messages stands out as an essential element of effective reading comprehension.