Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is a consonant digraph?

1. A combination of consonants where each letter's sound is heard

2. A combination of consonants that form a new sound

3. The repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of words

4. Two or more vowels producing a single sound

The correct answer is: A combination of consonants that form a new sound

A consonant digraph is indeed a combination of consonants that form a new sound. This occurs when two consonants come together to create a sound distinct from either individual consonant. Examples include "sh" in "ship" or "ch" in "chat," where the combination represents a unique phonetic output that is different from the individual sounds of "s" and "h" or "c" and "h" respectively. Recognizing consonant digraphs is essential for understanding phonetics and spelling patterns in English. The other options describe different phonetic concepts. The first option focuses on a scenario where each letter's sound is distinctly heard, which does not align with the definition of a digraph. The third option pertains to alliteration rather than digraphs, while the fourth option refers to diphthongs, which involve vowel combinations. These distinctions help in understanding the unique role that consonant digraphs play in phonemic awareness and literacy development.