15 Reading Interview Questions and Answers

Reading is a fundamental skill that is essential for success in school and in the workplace. While most people learn to read at an early age, some struggle with reading throughout their lives. If you are applying for a job that requires reading skills, you may be asked to take a reading test or interview to assess your abilities.

To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of common reading-related interview questions and answers. Whether you are being interviewed for a position as a teacher, librarian, or customer service representative, these questions will give you a good idea of what to expect.

1. What are the best ways to improve your reading speed and comprehension?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have strategies for improving your reading skills. They want to know that you are committed to learning and growing as a reader. In your answer, share two or three methods you use to improve your reading speed and comprehension.

Example: “I find it helpful to read out loud when I’m trying to increase my reading speed. This helps me practice pronouncing words correctly and also allows me to hear the information in a different way. Another strategy I use is taking notes while I read. By writing down key points and ideas, I can focus on what’s most important and remember more of the content later.”

2. How can you improve your concentration when reading for a long time?

This question can help interviewers understand your reading habits and how you approach long-term projects. Your answer should show that you know how to manage your time while also highlighting your ability to focus for extended periods of time.

Example: “I find it helpful to take a short break every 20 minutes or so when I’m reading for an extended period of time. This helps me refresh my mind and remember what I read previously, which is especially important if the material is complex or lengthy. Another strategy I use is taking notes as I go along. This allows me to process the information more thoroughly and retain it better.”

3. What tips do you have for dealing with information overload from too much reading?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Your answer should show that you have strategies for managing your time, setting goals and organizing information to complete projects on time.

Example: “I find it helpful to use a reading app or bookmarking tool to save articles I want to read later. This allows me to focus on one task at a time and helps me avoid distractions while I’m working. Another strategy is to set aside specific times of the day to read important documents so I don’t get distracted by other things during the workday.”

4. What is the most effective way to read a book or article on a technical topic in order to absorb as many concepts as possible?

This question can help an interviewer determine your reading comprehension skills and how you apply them to specific situations. Use examples from previous experience in which you applied the most effective methods of reading technical information to learn new concepts or complete projects.

Example: “I find that it’s best to read a book or article on a technical topic by first skimming through the entire piece, then going back and rereading each section more thoroughly. This allows me to get a general idea of what the author is trying to convey while also absorbing key points and important details. I’ve found this method to be especially helpful when learning about complex topics because it helps me understand the material better.”

5. Can you explain what SQ3R means?

This is a common question that interviewers ask to see if you have the ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms. This shows your communication skills and how well you can break down complicated ideas into easy-to-understand language.

Example: “SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. It’s a reading comprehension strategy that helps me understand what I’m reading by breaking it up into five steps. First, I survey the material to get an overview of what I’ll be reading. Then, I read through the text and make notes about anything I don’t understand or want to remember later. After that, I recite the information out loud to myself so I can practice remembering it. Finally, I review my notes and reread the material to ensure I’ve retained all the information.”

6. Is it more efficient to read a print copy of a book or an ebook version? Why?

This question can help an interviewer determine your reading preferences and how you make decisions about which format to use. If you’re applying for a position that requires you to read, it’s important to show that you understand the benefits of both print and digital formats.

Example: “I prefer reading books in print because I find them easier to follow than ebooks. When I’m reading on my phone or tablet, I often have to zoom in to see small text, which makes it more difficult to focus on what I’m reading. With a print book, I don’t have to worry about zooming in or out, so I can concentrate on the content without getting distracted by other features.”

7. Are there any tricks that can be used to make reading easier?

This question can help an interviewer determine your knowledge of reading techniques and strategies. Use examples from your experience to highlight your ability to teach others how to read more effectively.

Example: “I’ve found that the most effective way to make reading easier is by breaking down large chunks of text into smaller sections. This allows me to focus on one idea at a time, which makes it much easier to understand what I’m reading. Another trick I use when reading is highlighting important information or keywords in the text. This helps me remember key points and ideas while also allowing me to revisit those parts later.”

8. What is skimming and why is it useful?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of reading skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you can apply what you know about skimming to real-world situations.

Example: “Skimming is when you read something quickly and only focus on certain parts. This is useful because it helps me get an overview of a document or text, which makes it easier for me to find specific information later. I use this skill often in my current role as a library assistant where I have to skim through many books looking for overdue notices.”

9. What’s the difference between skimming, scanning, and deep-reading?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of reading skills. It’s important that you can identify the differences between these three types of reading and how they apply to different situations.

Example: “Skimming involves quickly looking at something, scanning is when you look for specific information and deep-reading is when you read thoroughly. Skimming is useful if you’re looking for general information or want to get an overview of something. Scanning is best for finding specific information within a text and deep-reading is good for understanding complex ideas.”

10. Do you think that audio versions of books help people who don’t like to read? If yes, then how?

This question is a great way to assess your reading comprehension skills and how you apply them in the real world. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of reading, even if it’s not in written form.

Example: “I think audio versions of books are an excellent resource for people who don’t like to read or have trouble with their eyesight. I’ve seen many students use audiobooks as a supplement to their regular class readings. It helps them learn more about the subject matter without having to spend hours reading.”

11. What are some sources of free online books?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you can find free resources for reading. They want to know that you’re willing to use online tools and websites to help you learn new things. In your answer, list some of the most popular sources of free books online. Explain why these are useful in helping you read more effectively.

Example: “I’ve found a few great places where I can get free books online. One is Project Gutenberg, which has thousands of public domain books available for download. Another is Open Library, which offers over one million e-books that anyone can access for free. There’s also FeedBooks, which has over 30,000 free books that you can download as PDFs.”

12. What websites would you recommend for someone trying to improve their reading skills?

This question can help an interviewer determine your knowledge of reading resources and how you might help others improve their skills. You can answer this question by naming websites that offer free or low-cost reading materials, such as online newspapers or magazines.

Example: “I would recommend starting with the news because it’s a great way to practice reading for comprehension. I also think it’s important to read books, so I’d suggest looking into local libraries and bookstores for discounted books. There are also some great apps out there that can help people learn new words and test themselves on what they’ve learned.”

13. How important is summarizing while reading?

This question can help the interviewer determine your reading comprehension skills. Summarizing is a skill that helps you understand what you read and remember it later. Use examples from past experiences to show how important summarizing was in helping you learn new information.

Example: “Summarizing while reading is an essential part of understanding the main points of a text. In my last job, I had to summarize many articles for my manager. He would give me a topic, and I would find several relevant articles on the subject. Then, I would write a summary of each article so he could get the most important information about the topic.”

14. What are the main benefits of learning how to learn better?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of improving your reading skills. You can answer this question by explaining how learning how to learn better will help you in your future career.

Example: “Learning how to learn better has many benefits, including helping me improve my memory and concentration. It also helps me develop effective study habits so I can prepare for tests and assignments more efficiently. Learning how to learn better allows me to be more efficient with my time and resources, which makes it easier to manage my workload.”

15. Why should we care about continuous education and lifelong learning?

Employers want to know that you’re committed to your own professional development. They also want to see if you can inspire others to do the same. Your answer should show that you value lifelong learning and how it benefits both yourself and your employer.

Example: “I believe in lifelong learning because I think we are always growing as individuals, and education is a great way to help us grow. It’s important for me to continue my education so I can learn new things and develop professionally. I’ve seen firsthand how continuing education has helped people advance their careers and change their lives. I would love to be part of an organization that supports this kind of growth.”