Which ability is essential for good readers when faced with problems?

Good readers must be able to identify the problem as this forms the foundation for effectively addressing any challenges they encounter during reading or comprehension. Identifying a problem allows readers to focus their attention on what specifically needs to be addressed, whether it's a misunderstanding, a confusing section of text, or a specific question that arises from the material they are reading. This skill is critical because it helps readers to clarify their thoughts and strategies for resolving the issue.

While solving the problem immediately might seem like an appealing choice, it is often not feasible or effective without first properly identifying the issue at hand. Gathering help is a supportive action, but it presupposes that a reader has already recognized that a problem exists. Accessing previous knowledge is indeed a valuable skill, as it can inform a reader’s understanding and approach, but without first identifying what the problem is, applying previous knowledge may not effectively resolve the current issue. Therefore, identifying the problem is a crucial first step that underpins the effectiveness of subsequent actions that readers might take in the problem-solving process.