Which term refers to the set of knowledge about a topic that a learner already possesses?

Which term refers to the set of knowledge about a topic that a learner already possesses?

• A. Schema
• B. Zone of proximal development
• C. Cognitivism
• D. Behaviorism

Answer: (A)

A schema is the organized set of knowledge a learner already has about a topic, stored in memory. This mental framework helps you interpret new information by connecting it to what you already know, predicting what might come next, and filling in gaps as you read or learn. In reading, activating the right schema—like background knowledge about dinosaurs, weather, or farming—lets you comprehend text more easily because you can relate new details to familiar ideas. The other terms describe different ideas: the zone of proximal development is about what you can do with guidance, cognitivism refers to how mental processes handle information, and behaviorism focuses on observable actions.

A schema is the organized set of knowledge a learner already has about a topic, stored in memory. This mental framework helps you interpret new information by connecting it to what you already know, predicting what might come next, and filling in gaps as you read or learn. In reading, activating the right schema—like background knowledge about dinosaurs, weather, or farming—lets you comprehend text more easily because you can relate new details to familiar ideas. The other terms describe different ideas: the zone of proximal development is about what you can do with guidance, cognitivism refers to how mental processes handle information, and behaviorism focuses on observable actions.