North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test

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Prepare for the North Carolina Foundations of Reading Test. Study with interactive flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Master reading concepts and excel in your exam!

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In the context of reading instruction, what does the term “decoding” refer to?

  1. Understanding the meaning of text

  2. Identifying vocabulary words

  3. Breaking down words into individual sounds

  4. Summarizing written information

The correct answer is: Breaking down words into individual sounds

Decoding refers to the process of breaking down words into individual sounds, which is a fundamental skill in reading instruction. This process enables learners to sound out words and pronounce them correctly, which is critical for developing reading fluency and comprehension. When students decode, they use their knowledge of letter-sound relationships to translate written text into spoken language. This skill is essential as it lays the foundation for understanding more complex reading tasks, such as fluency and comprehension. The other choices relate to different aspects of reading but do not accurately define decoding. Understanding the meaning of text involves comprehension skills, while identifying vocabulary words focuses on word recognition rather than the phonetic breakdown involved in decoding. Summarizing written information pertains to comprehension and synthesis skills rather than the foundational skill of decoding itself.