North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What statement is false regarding language acquisition in young children?

1. Children understand oral language before written language.

2. With appropriate instruction, children can comprehend written language early.

3. Children often learn to read before they can speak.

4. Comprehension skills develop asymmetrically based on exposure.

The correct answer is: Children often learn to read before they can speak.

The statement that children often learn to read before they can speak is not true. In the natural progression of language development, children typically first acquire the ability to understand and produce oral language before they begin to learn to read. Speaking involves a complex set of skills that develop through listening, interacting, and practicing verbal communication, which generally precedes formal reading instruction. The other statements reflect accurate concepts in language acquisition. The understanding that children comprehend oral language before they can decode written language highlights the foundational nature of oral language skills for literacy. The idea that appropriate instruction can facilitate early comprehension of written language recognizes the effectiveness of supportive learning environments. Lastly, the notion of asymmetrical development of comprehension skills stemming from exposure reflects the varying contexts and opportunities through which children engage with language, influencing their understanding differently based on their experiences.