What does the "five-finger rule" primarily assist with?

The "five-finger rule" is a practical guideline used primarily to help students assess the reading difficulty of a book before they choose to read it independently. By using this rule, a reader picks a book and then reads a page or passage. If they encounter five words they do not understand or cannot pronounce on that page, it is an indication that the book may be too challenging for them at that moment. This method encourages students to select materials that are suitably matched to their reading level, promoting a more effective and enjoyable reading experience.

While other options may relate to selecting texts in various contexts, the essence of the five-finger rule is fundamentally about matching a book's difficulty to a reader's capabilities for independent reading.