North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What strategy does a student use to fill in missing keywords in a story?

1. Memory recall of previous knowledge

2. Phonics-based decoding

3. Context, by considering the other words in the story

4. Guessing based on intuition

The correct answer is: Context, by considering the other words in the story

The strategy that involves filling in missing keywords in a story through context relies heavily on understanding the surrounding text and the overall meaning it conveys. By considering the other words in the story, a student can infer what missing words might belong based on the flow of the narrative, syntax, and overall themes present in the text. Using context clues helps the student make educated guesses about what word fits best in a particular spot, leading to a more coherent understanding of the story. This is particularly effective because context provides not just hints about the semantic content of the words but also aids in maintaining the logical progression of ideas within the text. In contrast, while memory recall could help by recalling similar stories or information, it does not directly assist in understanding the specific passage at hand. Phonics-based decoding is essential for reading words accurately but does not address filling in gaps in a nuanced way. Guessing based on intuition lacks the structured approach provided by context and can lead to errors not grounded in the text itself. Therefore, the ability to use context effectively is a significant literacy skill that enhances comprehension and aids in making sense of the narrative as a whole.