Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) Practice

What reading strategy includes using context to understand unknown words?

1. Phonemic awareness

2. Context cues

3. Word analysis

4. Visual scanning

The correct answer is: Context cues

Using context cues as a reading strategy is essential for understanding unknown words. Context cues involve paying attention to the surrounding text, including sentences and paragraphs, to discern the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. Readers utilize clues from the context in which a word appears, such as hints from other words or ideas, tone, or the overall subject matter of the text, to make educated guesses about the unknown word's meaning. This strategy encourages active reading, allowing readers to become more independent in decoding text and building their vocabulary. By relying on context cues, readers can enhance their comprehension skills, leading to a richer understanding of the material they encounter. This method is particularly useful in fluent reading, where quick understanding of meaning is essential.