A teacher checks for understanding during a unit and adjusts instruction.

• A. Informal Assessment
• B. Formative Assessment
• C. Summative Assessment
• D. Interpersonal Communication

Answer: (B)

Formative assessment is the practice of checking for understanding as instruction is happening and using what you learn to adjust teaching. It focuses on monitoring progress in real time, giving feedback, and shaping the next steps in the lesson so students can improve before the unit ends. This is different from a summative assessment, which evaluates what students have learned after instruction is complete, and from interpersonal communication, which isn’t about measuring or guiding learning. Informal checks—like quick questions or observations—can be part of formative work, but the key idea here is the ongoing use of feedback to modify instruction during the learning process.