What does the difference in comprehension skills between two proficient readers most likely indicate?

The difference in comprehension skills between two proficient readers is most likely indicative of the diverse reading comprehension skills each student applies. Proficient readers may have varying strategies they utilize depending on the text type, their purpose for reading, or the context of the material. For instance, one student might excel at making inferences, while another might be better at summarizing key ideas. This variation highlights that comprehension is not solely determined by reading proficiency but also involves personal cognitive strategies, interpretations, and engagement with the text.

Considering the other options, a preference for fictional texts, greater prior knowledge on a topic, or differences in reading pace can influence comprehension to some extent. However, these factors do not fundamentally capture the essence of how different comprehension strategies can lead to variations in understanding for proficient readers. Each reader's unique approach to processing and interpreting information ultimately plays a significant role in how well they comprehend what they read.