FTCE Reading K-12 Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a CVCE word?

1. A word with a consonant-vowel-consonant sequence

2. A word with a consonant-vowel pattern followed by 'e'

3. A word that has only vowels and consonants

4. A long word with frequent high-frequency irregular words

The correct answer is: A word with a consonant-vowel pattern followed by 'e'

A CVCE word is characterized by a consonant-vowel-consonant followed by a silent 'e' at the end of the word. This pattern not only defines the structure of the word but also impacts the pronunciation of the vowel sound in the preceding syllable, usually causing it to be pronounced as a long vowel. For example, the word "cake" demonstrates this pattern where 'c' is consonant, 'a' is the vowel, 'k' is the consonant, and the final 'e' remains silent, influencing the vowel sound to be pronounced long. Understanding this structure is important in phonics and helps in teaching reading strategies, particularly for early learners. The other options describe different patterns that do not match the specific characteristics of a CVCE word. For instance, a consonant-vowel-consonant sequence lacks the final 'e' that defines CVCE words, while the presence of only vowels and consonants does not indicate a specific pattern. Additionally, the mention of a long word filled with high-frequency irregular words does not relate to the CVCE structure at all.