New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What are the types of syllables discussed in literacy instruction?

1. Simple, compound, complex, and silent

2. Closed, open, silent e, vowel team, vowel-r, and consonant-le

3. Narrative and expository syllables

4. Verbal and non-verbal expressions

The correct answer is: Closed, open, silent e, vowel team, vowel-r, and consonant-le

The correct answer identifies a variety of syllable types that are critical in literacy instruction, particularly in teaching reading and phonics. Understanding these syllable types helps educators guide students in decoding and pronouncing words accurately. Closed syllables refer to those that end with a consonant, which typically results in a short vowel sound (e.g., “cat,” “dog”). Open syllables end in a vowel, which typically produces a long vowel sound (e.g., “he,” “go”). The silent e syllable, also known as the magic e, occurs when an “e” at the end of a word changes the preceding vowel from short to long (e.g., “make,” “time”). Vowel team syllables contain two vowels together that make one sound (e.g., “team,” “boat”). Vowel-r syllables include a vowel followed by an "r," which alters the vowel sound (e.g., “car,” “her”). Lastly, consonant-le syllables feature a consonant followed by “le,” and they often appear at the end of a word (e.g., “table,” “bottle”). These syllable types are essential for constructing knowledge about how words are formed and pronounced, making them foundational