Final answer:
The critical reading strategy most often used to understand a text's background and environment is to contextualize. This involves situating the text within its specific historical, cultural, or conceptual frame of reference, which aids in deeper comprehension and critical analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a reader seeks to understand the background and environment in which a piece of information is created to better grasp its purpose, the critical reading strategy most often used is contextualize. Contextualizing involves situating a text within its historical, cultural, or conceptual setting, which allows a critical reader to recognize the influences that shape the text's creation and meaning. For example, understanding the circumstances of the Civil War is crucial when reading the Emancipation Proclamation, just as knowledge of plant biology and chemical reactions is necessary for comprehending a chapter on photosynthesis in a biology textbook.
To engage effectively with a text, contextualization is key as it fosters a deeper critical analysis, strengthens comprehension, and stimulates further inquiry into the subject matter. Over time, employing contextualization not only enhances one's reading proficiency but also supports the development of analytical and evaluative skills when engaging with various genres of writing, from academic textbooks to fictional narratives.