TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

In the provided reading example, what skill does the student MOST clearly demonstrate?

1. Applying knowledge of word roots

2. Using graphophonic cues to decode

3. Applying knowledge of affixes

4. Using word families to decode

The correct answer is: Using graphophonic cues to decode

The answer indicating that the student most clearly demonstrates the skill of using graphophonic cues to decode is accurate because graphophonic cues involve the relationship between letters and sounds and the way they work together to form words. When a student employs graphophonic cues, they are utilizing their understanding of phonemic awareness, which is crucial for decoding unfamiliar words. This skill is essential for reading fluency and comprehension, as it enables the student to break down words into their constituent sounds and letters, ultimately facilitating the reading process. In this context, if the reading example showed the student successfully sounding out words or recognizing how different sounds correspond to specific letters or letter combinations, it showcases their ability to integrate phonics knowledge. This focus on letters' sounds over other approaches emphasizes why this is the most appropriate choice, reflecting the student's decoding proficiency directly through graphophonic awareness.