New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What indicates that a writer is in the transitional stage?

1. Using only scribbles

2. Writing lengthy paragraphs

3. Using both capital and lowercase letters correctly

4. Writing completely without punctuation

The correct answer is: Using both capital and lowercase letters correctly

The transitional stage of writing is characterized by a writer's increased understanding and application of various writing conventions, including the appropriate use of capital and lowercase letters. At this stage, the writer has moved beyond basic scribbles and phonetic spelling to a more sophisticated approach. Correctly using both capital and lowercase letters demonstrates the writer's recognition of the different functions these letters serve in written language, such as capitalization at the beginning of sentences and proper nouns. This skill reflects a growing awareness of standard writing conventions, signifying that the writer is developing their ability to effectively communicate in written form. In contrast, only using scribbles indicates an earlier developmental stage where the child is experimenting with writing without an understanding of letters or sounds. Writing lengthy paragraphs typically suggests a more advanced stage, where coherence and structure are being prioritized, often found in the proficient or fluent stages of writing development. Writing completely without punctuation reflects a lack of understanding of how punctuation aids clarity and meaning in writing, which suggests that the writer has not yet reached the transitional stage.