Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which question is an example of using semantic cues for decoding?

1. Why doesn’t it fit?

2. How many syllables does it have?

3. Can you sound it out?

4. What letter does it start with?

The correct answer is: Why doesn’t it fit?

Using semantic cues for decoding involves utilizing the meaning of words and context to make sense of written text. The first choice, asking "Why doesn’t it fit?" prompts the reader to think about how a particular word or text aligns with the meaning of surrounding words or the overall context of a sentence or passage. This encourages the reader to draw on their understanding of the content to make sense of what they are reading. In contrast, the other options focus on aspects of phonics or structural analysis rather than meaning. Questions about syllables, sounding out letters, or identifying the first letter pertain to the phonemic awareness and structural decoding strategies, which deal more with the mechanical aspects of reading rather than the comprehension or semantic understanding needed for effective decoding. Thus, the correct answer highlights the crucial role of meaning in the process of decoding written language.