New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

During vocabulary development, which skill is fundamental before reading is introduced?

1. Phonetic awareness

2. Listening

3. Comprehension

4. Writing

The correct answer is: Listening

Listening is a fundamental skill for vocabulary development before reading is introduced. The ability to listen allows children to hear new words, understand how they are used in context, and begin to develop their own vocabulary. Through listening activities such as storytelling, conversations, and songs, children are exposed to language in a way that enhances their understanding of word meanings, pronunciation, and syntax. Listening plays a critical role in the development of language skills because it is the first mode through which children engage with spoken language. This exposure lays the groundwork for later reading and comprehension skills. As children develop their listening skills, they can better understand the vocabulary they will encounter in written texts. While phonetic awareness, comprehension, and writing are all important components of literacy development, they typically build upon the foundational listening skills that help to establish a rich vocabulary from which to draw. Without strong listening abilities, a child may struggle with recognizing words in print and understanding their meanings, which makes it crucial to develop this skill first.