New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which approach effectively helps students develop decoding skills?

1. Using flashcards for high-frequency words

2. Reading literature with predictable text

3. Engaging in oral vocabulary discussions

4. Creating rhymes from known words

The correct answer is: Reading literature with predictable text

Reading literature with predictable text is an effective approach for helping students develop decoding skills because it provides a supportive context for students to practice their reading. Predictable text often features repetitive patterns, familiar vocabulary, and consistent sentence structures. This familiarity allows students to focus on decoding the words without becoming overwhelmed by new and complex language. When students read predictable text, they can also make educated guesses about what comes next based on the patterns and context clues present in the text. This reinforcement helps solidify their understanding of letter-sound relationships and improves their ability to decode new words. Predictable text supports fluency as well, as the repetitive nature encourages students to read with expression and confidence, leading to better overall comprehension. In contrast, strategies such as using flashcards for high-frequency words primarily focus on recognition rather than decoding. Oral vocabulary discussions build comprehension but don't specifically target the decoding process. Creating rhymes from known words can be beneficial for phonemic awareness but may not directly improve decoding skills as effectively as engaging with predictable text.