Wisconsin FORT (Foundations of Reading) Practice Test

What term describes the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes to teach the correspondence between sounds and spelling patterns?

1. Comprehension

2. Decoding

3. Fluency

4. Phonics

The correct answer is: Phonics

Phonics is the correct answer because it specifically refers to the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes to teach the correspondence between sounds and spelling patterns. Phonics instruction helps students understand the relationship between the sounds of spoken language and the letters they represent. This foundational skill is essential for students to become successful readers and writers. Comprehension, fluency, and decoding are also important components of reading instruction, but they do not specifically address the ability to connect sounds to spelling patterns like phonics does. Comprehension refers to understanding the meaning of the text, fluency relates to reading with speed, accuracy, and expression, and decoding involves using letter-sound relationships to read words.