Foundational Concepts & Principles Flashcards

What does 'reading plateau' mean in speed reading training?

Answer: A stage where speed stops improving despite continued practice

A plateau is a temporary leveling-off in progress that usually requires changed techniques or drills to break through.

Why does reading word-by-word slow readers down more than reading in phrases?

Answer: It maximizes the number of fixations needed per line

Each fixation costs time, so stopping on every single word multiplies pauses compared with grouping words per stop.

What is the recommended way to reduce subvocalization according to most speed reading courses?

Answer: Pushing reading pace faster than the inner voice can follow

Practicing at rates above speaking speed, often with a pacer, forces the brain to process visually rather than auditorily.

In a timed drill, why do courses often have students re-read the same passage at increasing speeds?

Answer: Familiar content lets the eyes practice faster mechanics without comprehension pressure

Re-reading known material isolates the physical skill of moving the eyes faster, building speed habits safely.

Which environmental factor most directly supports faster, sustained reading?

Answer: Good lighting and minimal distractions

Adequate light and a distraction-free setting reduce eye strain and attention breaks that slow reading.

What is 'baseline reading speed' and why is it measured at the start of a course?

Answer: The student's initial WPM, used to track improvement over time

Measuring the starting rate gives a personal reference point against which all later speed gains are compared.

A reader notices they frequently jump back two or three lines while reading a novel. Which corrective tool directly targets this habit?

Answer: Using a card or pacer to cover text already read

Covering or pacing past completed text physically prevents regressions and retrains forward-only eye movement.