Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) Practice

What does the Word Identification Strand focus on?

1. Only memorization of sight words

2. Understanding phonics and word structure

3. Learning grammar rules

4. Putting words into sentences

The correct answer is: Understanding phonics and word structure

The Word Identification Strand emphasizes the importance of understanding phonics and word structure as key components of reading development. This focus is essential because it equips learners with the skills necessary to decode unfamiliar words using knowledge of letter-sound relationships and linguistic patterns. By grasping phonics, students can sound out words based on their structure, which is crucial for building reading fluency and comprehension. Phonics instruction involves teaching the correspondence between sounds and their associated letters or groups of letters, which helps students unlock the reading process. Understanding word structure includes recognizing prefixes, suffixes, and root words, enriching students' vocabulary and aiding in the identification of new words. Consequently, this strand is foundational to developing proficient and independent readers who can navigate complex texts effectively.