Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which reading strategies do proficient readers use to ensure comprehension?

1. Graphophonics, syntax, and semantics

2. Re-reading, highlighting, and summarizing

3. Reading aloud, echo reading, and choral reading

4. Skimming, scanning, and note-taking

The correct answer is: Graphophonics, syntax, and semantics

Proficient readers employ strategies that connect the sounds of words (graphophonics) with their meanings (semantics) and their grammatical structures (syntax) to deepen comprehension. This integrated approach allows readers to decode unfamiliar words while also making sense of the text as a whole. By understanding how phonics relates to meanings and sentence structure, proficient readers can navigate complex texts more effectively and derive greater meaning from what they read. Other strategies, while useful, typically focus on specific aspects of reading and may not holistically address comprehension in the same way as the combination of graphophonics, syntax, and semantics. Re-reading, highlighting, and summarizing (another choice) are more focused on engagement with the text at a surface level, and strategies like skimming or scanning are generally employed for finding specific information rather than ensuring deep understanding.