Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which of the following is NOT considered a syntactic cue used in reading?

1. Knowledge of sentence structure

2. Oral language structures

3. Text illustrations

4. Ways sentences are put together

The correct answer is: Text illustrations

Syntactic cues in reading refer to the signals that help readers understand the grammatical structure of sentences, which informs them about how words function together to create meaning. Knowledge of sentence structure, oral language structures, and the ways sentences are put together all contribute to a reader's ability to parse and comprehend text based on grammar and syntax. Text illustrations, however, do not provide cues related to the grammatical structure of the language. Instead, they offer visual context or support that may enhance comprehension of the content but do not influence the syntactic understanding of the text. While illustrations can assist with meaning, they function outside of the syntax, making them distinct from the other options that are rooted in language structure and its rules.