New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which type of vocabulary word should a teacher preteach when starting a unit on weather and climate?

1. High-frequency, phonetically irregular words

2. Conceptually challenging words

3. Multisyllable words

4. High-frequency words with multiple meanings

The correct answer is: Conceptually challenging words

When starting a unit on weather and climate, conceptually challenging words are essential to preteach because they directly relate to the key concepts and ideas within that subject area. These words often represent complex phenomena or processes that are integral to understanding weather patterns and climate changes, such as "precipitation," "humidity," or "atmosphere." By focusing on these words, teachers can ensure that students grasp the foundational concepts necessary for comprehension of the material. This preteaching strategy helps build a stronger conceptual framework, enabling students to not only understand the vocabulary but also to apply it effectively in discussions and assignments related to weather and climate. It fosters deeper engagement with the content and supports students’ overall learning experience in the unit. In contrast, high-frequency, phonetically irregular words, multisyllable words, and high-frequency words with multiple meanings while important in language development, do not specifically align with the unique vocabulary needs presented by a unit on weather and climate.