FTCE Reading K-12 Practice Exam

Which principle explains that letters in written words correspond to sounds in spoken words?

1. Phonological structure

2. Alphabetic principle

3. Word recognition

4. Reading comprehension

The correct answer is: Alphabetic principle

The correct answer is indeed the concept that letters in written words correspond to sounds in spoken words, which is central to the understanding of reading and writing. This principle, known as the alphabetic principle, is foundational in literacy development. It establishes the relationship between phonemes (the smallest units of sound) and graphemes (the letters that represent those sounds), allowing readers to decode written language by translating the symbols they see into the sounds they hear. Understanding the alphabetic principle is crucial for early readers as it provides them with the skills necessary to begin reading independently. This principle underlies various literacy activities, such as phonics instruction, which teaches students how to connect sounds to letters and ultimately blend those sounds into words. The other concepts, while related, do not specifically address the correspondence between letters and sounds. Phonological structure pertains more broadly to the organization of sounds in language. Word recognition focuses on the ability to identify words quickly and automatically, whereas reading comprehension involves understanding and interpreting the meaning of the text once it has been read. Each of these areas plays a role in literacy, but the alphabetic principle specifically encapsulates the idea of sound-letter correspondence critical to beginning reading skills.