Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is the term for the sounds that letters make and the letters used to represent sounds?

1. Fluency

2. Phonics

3. Comprehension

4. Syllabication

The correct answer is: Phonics

The correct answer is indeed Phonics. Phonics is a method of teaching reading that focuses on the relationship between sounds and the letters that represent those sounds. It involves understanding that letters and combinations of letters correspond to specific sounds in spoken language. This foundational skill is critical for young readers as it helps them decode words and develop their reading fluency. Fluency refers to the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression, which is a different aspect of reading development. Comprehension pertains to the understanding and interpretation of what is read, rather than the sounds associated with letters. Syllabication involves breaking words down into syllables, which is also distinct from the focus on sounds and their letters. Thus, Phonics is the term that accurately encompasses the sounds that letters make and the letters used to represent those sounds.