New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is a key benefit of explicit phonics instruction?

1. It decreases reading comprehension skills

2. It increases the ability to decode and spell

3. It is less planned than other instructions

4. It eliminates the need for phonological awareness

The correct answer is: It increases the ability to decode and spell

Explicit phonics instruction is a teaching method that focuses on the direct teaching of the relationships between letters and sounds, making it an essential component in developing early literacy skills. One of the key benefits of this approach is that it significantly increases students' ability to decode words and spell them accurately. By understanding how letters combine to form sounds, students become more capable of sounding out unfamiliar words, which enhances both their reading and writing abilities. When students receive systematic phonics instruction, they learn to recognize letter patterns and apply their knowledge to decode new words independently. This not only boosts their confidence as readers but also supports overall literacy development. Additionally, decoding skills are foundational for reading comprehension; as students improve their ability to sound out words, they can better focus on understanding the content of what they are reading. This structured and focused method contrasts with less planned or unstructured instructional approaches, which may not provide the same level of skill acquisition. It also does not negate the importance of phonological awareness; both are vital components of reading instruction that work together to foster proficient reading skills.