# Reading Detective® B1 (Free)

> Educational app for improving reading comprehension through critical thinking activities. (iPhone/iPad app by The Critical Thinking Company.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-detective-b1-free/id978180032 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The Critical Thinking Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/882929408)
- Category: Education, Games
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 29 MB
- Languages: English, German
- Released: 2015-06-12
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-detective-b1-free/id978180032/reviews.md

## What is Reading Detective® B1 (Free)?

Using Higher-Order Thinking to Improve Reading Comprehension

Teaches a depth of analysis that guarantees superior reading comprehension, top grades, and higher test scores! 

The standards-based critical thinking activities of Reading Detective® develop the analysis, synthesis, and vocabulary skills students need for exceptional reading comprehension. The activities are especially effective at helping students understand more challenging reading concepts such as drawing inferences, making conclusions, determining cause-and-effect, and using context clues to define vocabulary.

Students read and analyze short literature passages and stories that include fiction and nonfiction genres. Then they answer multiple-choice questions, citing sentence evidence to support their answers.

The Grades 7–8 (B1) level includes mixed-skills throughout and provides an introductory lesson for each skill.

Reading and literary analysis skills are based on grade-level standards.

Features
     - 55 activities; 440 questions (with upgraded paid app)
     - Question hints
     - Explanations of answers
     - Detailed help
     - Detailed student statistics
     - Progress/award certificates
     - Ad-free

This app won the following awards: Cathy Duffy 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum, Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year Award, Informal Education Products Product of the Year, Learning® Magazine Teacher's Choice Award, Mensa Recommended Materials for the Gifted, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval

Authors: Cheryl Block, Carrie Beckwith, Margaret Hockett, and David White
Subject: Language Arts
Grades: 7-8

Reading Detective® guarantees top performance on assessment tests, including:

Stanford Achievement Test™ (SAT/10)
California Achievement Tests (CAT/6)
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills® (ITBS®)
Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT)
Florida State Assessment (FSA)
Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP)
Palmetto Assessment Challenge Test (PACT)
New York State English Language Arts (ELA) Test
Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP)
State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) 
Ohio Proficiency Test
Kansas State Assessments
North Carolina End of Grade Tests
North Carolina Competency Tests
Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS)
Indiana Statewide Test for Educational Progress (ISTEP)
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT)
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA)
California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)
and many more!

## Key features

- Higher-Order Thinking Activities
- Reading Comprehension Improvement
- Vocabulary Skill Development
- Analysis of Literature Passages
- Evidence-Based Question Answering
- Progress Tracking and Certificates

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-detective-b1-free/id978180032/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Good app but could use an upgrade.

*2017-01-27, version 0.0.2*

This app looked like a good use of my time and  an easy way to learn.  I liked how I could pick to either "investigate" a nonfiction or fiction article making it fit to my preferences in that moment.  Also, the app was very colorful and eye catching to me so that was a bit of a must have.  Also, this was a bit of a new app so I was interested to see what it had to offer.  However, I disliked how that in order to get more than two stories in the same app you had to either upgrade to the 20 dollar app or get a different "Reading Detective."  I would change the app so that you can watch a video or something to get another story.  Despite that this app was much better than "Language Arts Friendzy." Language Arts Friendzy says it is k-8 but it really is only a kindergarten app.  This app however is really challenging for me and it entertained me far more than Language Arts Friendzy.

## Frequently asked questions about Reading Detective® B1 (Free)

### What is Reading Detective B1?

Reading Detective B1 is an educational app designed to improve reading comprehension and critical thinking skills for students in grades 7-8. It uses standards-based activities to help students analyze literature and answer questions by citing evidence.

### What learning methodology does Reading Detective B1 use?

The app employs a higher-order thinking approach to reading comprehension, focusing on analysis, synthesis, and vocabulary. It teaches skills like drawing inferences, making conclusions, and using context clues through interactive activities.

### How does Reading Detective B1 track progress?

The app provides detailed student statistics to monitor progress. It also offers progress and award certificates to acknowledge achievements, motivating students in their learning journey.

### Is Reading Detective B1 suitable for all students?

Reading Detective B1 is specifically designed for students in grades 7-8. Its content and activities are aligned with grade-level standards for language arts and critical thinking.

### What devices does Reading Detective B1 support?

Based on the provided data, Reading Detective B1 currently supports iPads. It was released on June 12, 2015, and its latest version is 0.0.2, last updated on August 4, 2015.

### Does Reading Detective B1 have ads?

No, Reading Detective B1 is ad-free. The app description explicitly states that it is ad-free, ensuring an uninterrupted learning experience for users.

### What is the rating and user feedback for Reading Detective B1?

Reading Detective B1 has a rating of 4.0 stars from a single rating. While limited, this indicates a generally positive initial reception from its users.

### How does Reading Detective B1 prepare students for tests?

Reading Detective B1 guarantees top performance on various assessment tests, including the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT/10), California Achievement Tests (CAT/6), and many state-specific English Language Arts tests.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 0.0.2 — 2015-08-04

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

updates to general functionality issues
minor data updates
game-winning changes

### 0.0.1 — 2015-06-12

No release notes.

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All apps by The Critical Thinking Company: https://appshunter.io/developer/882929408

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*