Which question would best promote inferential comprehension of a text?

Selecting the question that best promotes inferential comprehension involves identifying a question that requires readers to look beyond the text's surface-level information and draw conclusions based on context, clues, or implied meaning.

The provided question about what prevents the penguins from going off to sea encourages readers to infer understanding by considering various elements of the text, such as character motivations, environmental factors, or thematic implications. This requires the reader to engage more deeply with the text, analyzing the reasons and conditions that affect the penguins' behavior rather than just recalling straightforward facts.

In contrast, questions focused on main characters, the setting, or the author's identity tend to elicit factual responses that can be directly found in the text. While these questions are important for understanding the basic structure of the story, they do not ask readers to make inferences or explore underlying themes. The question about what prevents the penguins from going off to sea actively prompts readers to think critically and interpret the information presented, thus enhancing their comprehension of the text.