New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which characteristic is likely to be absent in a preliterate writer?

1. Understanding left-to-right directionality

2. Using letter-like symbols meaningfully

3. Clarity in thought expression

4. Ability to spell words correctly

The correct answer is: Ability to spell words correctly

A preliterate writer is someone who has not yet developed the understanding and skills associated with conventional writing systems. In this context, the ability to spell words correctly would be largely absent, as spelling involves a familiarity with letter sounds, sequences, and the orthographic rules of a language that a preliterate individual has not yet acquired. For someone at this stage, the other characteristics hold different levels of significance. Understanding left-to-right directionality is a foundational concept learned early on when one begins to engage with written language, and it often develops alongside a child's first exposure to writing. Using letter-like symbols meaningfully suggests that a preliterate writer may experiment with writing by creating shapes that resemble letters, indicating some level of engagement with the concepts of writing before full literacy is achieved. Clarity in thought expression, while often associated with more advanced writing skills, can still be seen to develop in preliterate stages, as children begin to convey ideas and stories, albeit through a mix of drawings and rudimentary symbols rather than conventional writing. Overall, the absence of correct spelling stands out because it directly relates to the fundamental skills of reading and writing that are typically developed as literacy emerges, making it the most likely characteristic not present in a preliterate writer.