TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

Why is fluency important in developing reading skills?

1. It enhances vocabulary retention.

2. It improves decoding speed.

3. It fosters comprehension and ease of reading.

4. It allows for better text analysis.

The correct answer is: It fosters comprehension and ease of reading.

Fluency is crucial in developing reading skills because it fosters comprehension and ease of reading. When a reader is fluent, they can read text smoothly and with appropriate pace and intonation. This fluidity allows them to focus more on understanding the meaning of the text rather than getting bogged down by decoding each word. As readers gain fluency, they encounter less cognitive load from decoding, enabling them to engage more deeply with the content, make connections, and synthesize information. Thus, fluent readers are more likely to comprehend what they read, which is a fundamental goal of reading instruction. While other aspects such as vocabulary retention, decoding speed, and text analysis are important to the reading process, the ability to read smoothly and with understanding stands out as a key factor that directly influences comprehension.