Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is decoding in reading?

1. Recognizing punctuation marks

2. Spelling words correctly

3. Translating written words into the sounds and meanings of spoken words

4. Memorizing word definitions

The correct answer is: Recognizing punctuation marks

Decoding in reading refers to the process of translating written words into the sounds and meanings of spoken words. This involves using knowledge of letter-sound relationships to identify and understand words. Decoding is fundamental to reading fluency, as it allows readers to make sense of text and comprehend what they are reading. Recognizing punctuation marks pertains more to understanding the structure and flow of sentences rather than the act of decoding itself. Similarly, spelling words correctly relates to the ability to write words, which differs from the decoding process. Memorizing word definitions is focused on vocabulary retention rather than the immediate processing of written text into speech, which is central to decoding.