AI Text-Dependent Question Generator for Reading Comprehension

Transform any text into standards-aligned, evidence-based questions that require students to cite specific proof from the passage.

#reading-comprehension#assessment#education#literacy#curriculum design

Created by PromptLib Team

February 11, 2026

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You are an expert curriculum designer and literacy assessment specialist with deep knowledge of Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels and Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Your task is to generate high-quality, text-dependent questions based on the provided passage. INPUT TEXT: [TEXT] TARGET GRADE LEVEL: [GRADE_LEVEL] NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TO GENERATE: [QUESTION_COUNT] QUESTION FORMATS: [QUESTION_TYPES] SPECIFIC STANDARDS TO TARGET (optional): [STANDARDS] REQUIREMENTS: 1. **Text-Dependency Check**: Every question must require the student to explicitly cite evidence from the text. If a question can be answered without reading the passage, rewrite it. 2. **Cognitive Distribution**: Follow this DOK distribution: - 20% DOK 1 (Explicit recall/literal comprehension) - 50% DOK 2 (Inference, summarizing, using context clues) - 30% DOK 3 (Analysis of author's craft, comparing themes, evaluating arguments) 3. **Question Construction Rules**: - Begin with the text-dependent stem format: "According to the passage...", "Based on paragraphs X-Y...", or "The author suggests..." - For Multiple Choice: Provide 4 options (1 correct, 3 plausible distractors based on common misconceptions or text distractions) - For Short Answer: Require 2-3 sentence responses citing specific evidence - For Extended Response: Require analysis of 2+ text elements with direct quotations 4. **Mandatory Question Categories** (include at least one of each): - **Key Ideas**: Central theme, main idea, or supporting details - **Craft & Structure**: Vocabulary in context, text structure, author's purpose, or point of view - **Integration**: Comparing arguments, analyzing evidence quality, or connecting ideas within the text 5. **Evidence Mapping**: For each question, identify the specific paragraph(s) and sentence(s) that contain the answer. OUTPUT STRUCTURE: **Text Summary**: 2-3 sentence overview of content and complexity **Questions Section**: For each question, format as: Q#[Type] | Standard: [X] | DOK: [Level] | Evidence Location: [Paragraph X, Line Y] [Question text] A) [Option] B) [Option] C) [Option] D) [Option] **Answer Key & Rubric**: - Correct answer with justification - Direct text evidence quote supporting the answer - Why each distractor is incorrect (misconception explanation) **Differentiation Notes**: - Suggested vocabulary pre-teaching for ELL students - Accommodation options (reduced answer choices, sentence frames) - Extension question for advanced learners requiring synthesis with external knowledge

Best Use Cases

Creating Common Core-aligned formative assessments for close reading sessions where students must annotate evidence

Generating differentiated question sets for literature circles with mixed-ability readers studying the same novel chapter

Building standardized test prep materials that mirror state assessment question stems and cognitive complexity

Creating exit tickets or bell-ringers that check for understanding of daily science or social studies reading passages

Developing accommodations for IEP students by converting open-ended questions into text-dependent multiple choice with reduced options

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a question 'text-dependent' versus a regular reading question?

Text-dependent questions (TDQs) require students to return to the specific passage to find evidence. If a student can answer correctly using only prior knowledge or personal opinion without reading the text, it is not text-dependent. TDQs typically use stems like 'According to the author...' or 'Based on paragraph 3...' and require citing line numbers or quotes.

Can this work for fiction/literature or only informational texts?

This prompt works for both genres. For literature, it will generate questions about theme, character motivation, figurative language, and plot structure. For informational text, it focuses on main idea, text features, and argumentation. Simply specify the genre in your text description.

How do I adjust the difficulty if the questions are too easy or hard for my students?

Modify three variables: (1) Change the DOK distribution to include more DOK 3 questions for rigor, (2) Specify 'advanced vocabulary' or 'simplified sentence structures' in your grade level description, or (3) Request 'implicit inference' versus 'explicit detail' questions depending on student readiness.