What characterizes fluent readers during silent reading?

Fluent readers are characterized by their ability to read rapidly without stumbling over words during silent reading. This fluency is essential for effective reading comprehension, as it allows readers to focus on the meaning of the text rather than getting bogged down by decoding individual words. Fluent reading involves a smooth flow of words, which enhances the reader's ability to connect ideas and grasp the overall message of the passage.

When readers can process text quickly and effortlessly, they have more cognitive resources available to think critically about the content, make inferences, and engage with the material on a deeper level. This skill is a key component of literacy development and is particularly important in fostering a lifelong love for reading and learning.