The Annual Newsletter of the International Reading Association's Phonics Special Interest Group
Phonics Quiz!
Directions: Choose
the best answer.
1) What is the main purpose for teaching students phonics and decoding?
A) to stimulate development of phonemic awareness
B) to allow students to master the 42 primary phonics and word usage rules
C) to enable reading and writing
D) to satisfy national reading reform mandates
2. Which vowel sounds are usually taught first?
A) long vowels
B) short vowels
C) magic e words
D) diphthongs
3. Poor readers rely more on ______________ than good readers.
A) structural analysis
B) patterns
C) context
D) orthography
4. According the Patricia Cunningham, how many high frequency words should
early readers learn to read and spell?
A) ten
B) fifty
C) all one hundred "Instant Words"
D) all 212 "Dolch Words"
5. The letter combination “sh” is a:
A) digraph
B) consonant blend
C) rime
D) syllable
6. Which of the following consonant elements would you most likely teach
first?
A) g = /j/ (gym)
B) s = /s/ (sun)
C) z = /z/ (zebra)
D) v = /v/ (van)
7. What impact do invented spelling and conventional spelling have on
phonics knowledge?
A) They have almost no impact on phonics.
B) They provide additional insight and practice.
C) They take the place of phonics.
D) They cause confusion.
8. In Why Johnny Can’t Read, Rudolph Flesch conveys an urgent message.
What is his message?
A) Literature first!
B) Phonics first!
C) Children must learn whole words first and then move on to short stories!
D) Reading for fluency involves lots, and lots, and lots of reading practice!
9. U.S. Federal reading reform initiatives are not calling for
A) exclusive use of literature-based instruction for beginning reading.
B) use of systematic, explicit phonics instruction for beginning reading.
C) instruction in phonemic awareness for children who do not have these
skills.
D) use of assessment tools to guide instruction
10. What is the best way to improve a child’s self-esteem in reading?
A) Tell the child that everything he or she does is wonderful.
B) Provide positive reinforcement and praise even if the child is not
trying very hard.
C) Provide appropriate instruction and practice activities that allow
the child to master new skills.
D) Make sure the child receives plenty of tokens and rewards.
Answers:
1) What is the main purpose for teaching students phonics and decoding?
A) to stimulate development of phonemic awareness
B) to allow students to master the 42 primary phonics and word usage rules
C) to enable reading and writing
D) to satisfy national reading reform mandates
2. Which vowel sounds are usually taught first?
A) long vowels
B) short vowels
C) magic e words
D) diphthongs
3. Poor readers rely more on ______________ than good readers.
A) structural analysis
B) patterns
C) context
D) orthography
4. How many high frequency words should early readers learn to read and
spell?
A) ten
B) twenty
C) fifty
D) one hundred
5. The letter combination “sh” is a:
A) digraph
B) consonant blend
C) rime
D) syllable
6. Which of the following consonant elements would you most likely teach
first?
A) g = /j/ (gym)
B) s = /s/ (sun)
C) z = /z/ (zebra)
D) v = /v/ (van)
7. What impact do invented spelling and conventional spelling have on
phonics knowledge?
A) They have almost no impact on phonics.
B) They provide additional insight and practice.
C) They take the place of phonics.
D) They cause confusion.
8. In Why Johnny Can’t Read, Rudolph Flesch conveys an urgent message.
What is his message?
A) Literature first!
B) Phonics first!
C) Children must learn whole words first and then move on to short stories!
D) Reading for fluency involves lots, and lots, and lots of reading practice!
9. U.S. Federal reading reform initiatives are not calling for
A) exclusive use of literature-based instruction for beginning reading.
B) use of systematic, explicit phonics instruction for beginning reading.
C) instruction in phonemic awareness for children who do not have these
skills.
D) use of assessment tools to guide instruction
10. What is the best way to improve a child’s self-esteem in reading?
A) Tell the child that everything he or she does is wonderful.
B) Provide positive reinforcement and praise even if the child is not
trying very hard.
C) Provide appropriate instruction and practice activities that allow
the child to master new skills.
D) Make sure the child receives plenty of tokens and rewards.