New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which of the following best describes the components of oral language development?

1. Phoneme skills and formatting

2. Phoneme skills, Syntactic skills, Semantic skills, Morphological skills, Pragmatics

3. Just vocabulary knowledge

4. Only listening and speaking skills

The correct answer is: Phoneme skills, Syntactic skills, Semantic skills, Morphological skills, Pragmatics

The components of oral language development encompass a range of skills that are essential for effective communication. The correct answer accurately identifies five critical areas: phoneme skills, syntactic skills, semantic skills, morphological skills, and pragmatics. Phoneme skills refer to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds within words, which is foundational for reading and pronunciation. Syntactic skills involve understanding the structure of sentences and how words combine to convey meaning. Semantic skills pertain to vocabulary and understanding the meaning of words and phrases, enabling individuals to comprehend messages more fully. Morphological skills involve recognizing and using the smallest units of meaning in language, which contributes to understanding how words can change form (like adding prefixes or suffixes). Finally, pragmatics encompasses the social aspects of language use, including understanding context, tone, and the ability to engage in conversations appropriately. This comprehensive view of oral language development highlights that it is not limited to just one aspect, such as vocabulary, listening, or speaking, but rather includes a holistic understanding of various interconnected skills necessary for effective communication.