Active reading involves fully engaging with the material, critically analyzing concepts, and connecting new information to existing knowledge, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. In contrast, passive reading, characterized by skimming or reading amidst distractions, often leads to superficial understanding. The first step to reading more actively is to review any questions related to the material before reading to identify key information. Second, read the passage multiple times, revisiting questions between each reading to reinforce understanding. Third, identify and define unfamiliar terms to prevent confusion. Fourth, summarize main ideas in the margins or in a notebook to reinforce comprehension. The fifth and final step is to mark important sections relevant to the reading objectives for easy reference. Implementing these techniques can transform reading into an active process, leading to better absorption and long-term retention of information.