Why passive reading doesn't stick
Reading a chapter and summarizing a chapter are two different cognitive tasks. The first is receptive — you take in information and move on. The second forces your brain to identify what actually mattered, which is why students who summarize after reading retain significantly more than those who just re-read. This prompt outsources the mechanical part of summarizing while keeping the active part — reading — yours.
The question at the end is the most important output
Most people skip it, but the 'one question this chapter raises' instruction is genuinely valuable. It connects what you just read to what comes next, which is how comprehension actually builds. If you're reading a non-fiction book, that question often predicts the thesis of the next chapter. It keeps you reading forward rather than treating each chapter as a standalone unit.