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What defines a sight word?

  1. A word easily sounded out phonetically

  2. A word recognized through memorization or context

  3. A word frequently used in texts

  4. A word that follows regular phonetic rules

The correct answer is: A word recognized through memorization or context

A sight word is defined as a word that is recognized through memorization or context. These words are often encountered frequently in written language, making it essential for readers, especially beginning readers, to recognize them quickly without needing to sound them out. This immediate recognition aids in developing reading fluency, allowing readers to focus on comprehension rather than decoding each word. The other definitions do not accurately capture what a sight word is. While phonetic rules and frequency of use can contribute to a child's reading development, they do not specifically define sight words. Phonetically decodable words require a different set of skills, where knowledge of sound-letter correspondences is essential. In contrast, sight words bypass this need for phonetic decoding by relying on memory and context in reading.