TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

Fact or myth: Students need to know all letter-sound relationships before learning about comprehension.

1. Fact

2. Myth

3. Most students need prior knowledge

4. Only some students need all relationships

The correct answer is: Myth

The assertion that students need to know all letter-sound relationships before delving into comprehension is a myth. Understanding how to decode words using letter-sound relationships is certainly important for reading, but it is not a prerequisite for comprehension. Comprehension can begin early in the reading process, as even novice readers can engage with texts through listening, discussing, or reading familiar and predictable texts. Moreover, comprehension strategies can be taught simultaneously while students are learning letter-sound relationships. This integrated approach allows students to make meaning from texts even as they continue to develop their decoding skills. The ability to understand a text does not solely depend on having mastered every letter-sound relationship; context, background knowledge, and engagement with the content play significant roles. Thus, fostering comprehension alongside phonics instruction provides a more holistic approach to reading development.