(1) An eighth-grade student at the novice reading level is beginning to attain prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for reading at each benchmark.   He/she:

(a) demonstrates a literal understanding of the reading material;

(b) makes few predictions and connections between new material and prior knowledge, usually locating main ideas, but seldom identifies supporting details when reading material appropriate to the eighth grade;

(c) often relies on one strategy to read material with incomplete comprehension, seldom interpreting elements of fiction and nonfiction and literary devices;

(d) uses a limited eighth-grade reading vocabulary;

(e) seldom articulates the strategies used to monitor reading progress;

(f) rarely sets or meets reading goals; and

(g) compares information, language, and point of view from two print or nonprint sources.