Which question best promotes inferential comprehension of a text?

Inferential comprehension requires readers to go beyond the literal text and make connections or draw conclusions based on the information provided. The question about what prevents the penguins from going off to sea to feed when they are egg sitting encourages students to think critically about the text. It prompts them to infer reasons based on the context of the penguins' behavior, suggesting a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play in the scenario described.

In contrast, identifying the main idea asks for a summary of the text's most critical point rather than drawing inferences. Questions about the author's feelings or the characters' motivations can also invite interpretation, but they do not necessarily require the reader to engage with specific text-based details that need to be inferred. Thus, the selected question fosters a deeper level of engagement with the material, aligning well with the objectives of inferential comprehension.