A Content Analysis of Reading Exercise in English Textbook “Work in Progress” Published by Ministry of Education Using Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the cognitive levels of reading exercises presented in the English textbook “Work in Progress” published by the Ministry of Education using the framework of Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. This research employs a qualitative content analysis method to examine the distribution of cognitive processes reflected in the reading tasks. The data were collected from selected reading exercises in the textbook and categorized into six cognitive levels: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. The findings indicate that the majority of reading exercises are dominated by lower-order thinking skills (LOTS), particularly at the levels of remembering and understanding. In contrast, higher-order thinking skills (HOTS), such as analyzing, evaluating, and creating, are less frequently represented. This imbalance suggests that the textbook has not fully supported the development of students’ critical thinking and analytical skills. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of a more balanced distribution of cognitive levels in reading exercises to enhance students’ comprehension and higher-level thinking abilities. The results are expected to provide valuable insights for textbook developers, teachers, and curriculum designers in improving the quality of instructional materials. In conclusion, integrating a broader range of cognitive processes in reading exercises is essential to foster students’ active engagement and critical literacy development.