Chapter 4: Working with the Youngest Readers and Writers
Multiple Choice Items
1. A kindergarten teacher suspects that her new student has not had the same rich exposure to
books that most of his classmates have had. Of the following, which assessment tool could most
likely help a teacher measure a young child’s understanding of books?
a) an informal reading inventory
b) a concepts-about-print test
c) a running record
d) a portfolio assessment
2. Young children are surrounded by words. Print such as logos on cereal boxes and signs for a
favorite toy store or restaurant is known as:
a) predictable print
b) decodable print
c) concept print
d) environmental print
3. Effective teachers have learned that it is best to teach letters of the alphabet:
a) in alphabetical order
b) before introducing whole words
c) using drills and writing activities
d) using children’s own names and providing many experiences with meaningful written
language
4. The goal for educators is that all children should be fluent readers and writers by:
a) age seven
b) the end of kindergarten
c) the end of first grade
d) the end of third grade
5. Because fluent readers recognize many words automatically, they usually:
a) prefer to read orally
b) substitute words as they read
c) devote more energy to comprehension
d) devote more energy to decoding
6. To administer the Concepts About Print test, teachers:
a) must use one of 4 specially provided books
b) can use any book in the classroom
c) must test children in groups
d) can test in a round-robin manner
7. A group of first grade students would enjoy the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but they
are not ready to read it independently. To help the children enjoy and use the book effectively,
their teacher should use the practice of:
a) round-robin reading
b) running records
c) shared reading
d) popcorn reading
8. During shared reading, students should be encouraged to:
a) join in reading predictable refrains and rhyming words
b) remain silent as the teacher reads
c) draw a picture as the teacher reads
d) examine pictures in an alternative text
9. Books with repeated words and sentences, rhymes, or other familiar patterns are known as:
a) environmental books
b) decodable books
c) predictable books
d) shared books
10. Several kindergarten students dictated sentences about their trip to the zoo. Their teacher
wrote their dictated sentences on a chart. The children were able to easily read these sentences
primarily because:
a) the text was composed of their own language
b) a familiar teacher wrote the script
c) they enjoyed the visit to the zoo
d) the words contained familiar spelling patterns
11. Handwriting instruction:
a) should begin in kindergarten to establish good habits
b) should begin in third grade when fine-motor skills have been developed
c) should include only cursive writing
d) is no longer necessary due to technology
12. When children are using writing centers, their teachers should:
a) grade each draft the children write
b) provide help as needed
c) refrain from commenting on the students’ work
d) correct all spelling and punctuation errors to establish good habits
13. Students are most likely to use conventional spelling in the:
a) readiness reading and writing stage
b) emergent reading and writing stage
c) beginning reading and writing stage
d) fluent reading and writing stage
14. Teachers should use the time allotted for handwriting instruction primarily to:
a) model letter formation and supervise the students’ practice
b) distribute worksheets for independent practice
c) complete required lesson plans and newsletters
d) teach keyboarding skills
15. A kindergarten teacher plans to read aloud a predictable text, Mrs. Wishy-Washy. To enable
all students to see the text and illustrations, the teacher should use:
a) twin texts
b) a big book
c) environmental print
d) decodable texts
16. Six-year-old Nicole wrote a thank-you letter to her grandmother that had all the traditional
parts of a letter and showed conventional spelling. This work indicates that as a writer, the child
is in the:
a) readiness stage
b) emergent stage
c) beginning stage
d) fluent stage
17. Five-year-old Gloria didn’t understand word boundaries or concepts of words. To best
address this need, her teachers used the instructional practice of:
a) the Language Experience Approach
b) Comprehension Strategies
c) Running Records
d) Graphic Organizers
18. The principal wisely suggested that by adding books, pencils, pens, and paper to kindergarten
play centers, teachers could enhance their instructional value and transform them into:
a) repetends
b) assessment centers
c) literacy play centers
d) Elkonin boxes
19. The most effective way to help children develop concepts about the alphabet is to:
a) provide isolated skill and drill activities to teach letters
b) use the children’s names and environmental print to teach letters
c) develop portfolio assessments
d) teach letters in alphabetical order
20. The kindergarten teacher is pleased to see that five-year-old Evan is beginning to hold books
correctly and to read environmental print. This behavior indicates that Evan is in the:
a) readiness reading and writing stage
b) emergent reading and writing stage
c) beginning reading and writing stage
d) fluent reading and writing stage
21. Being able to name the letters of the alphabet is a good predictor of beginning reading
achievement. The most likely explanation for this is that:
a) drill and practice activities lead to reading success
b) a child must be able to name every letter in order to read words
c) children who have been involved in early & rich literacy activities generally know the letters
d) children who can name the letters have strong phonemic awareness
22. Tommy is transitioning from pretend reading to reading predictable books. This child is in
the:
a) readiness reading and writing stage
b) emergent reading and writing stage
c) beginning reading and writing stage
d) fluent reading and writing stage
23. Teacher Millie Boyd is helping her students use phonics to decode and spell words. Phonics
instruction is most appropriate for students in the:
a) readiness reading and writing stage
b) emergent reading and writing stage
c) beginning reading and writing stage
d) fluent reading and writing stage
24. Young children’s introduction and exposure to written language usually begins:
a) before they come to school
b) when they enter kindergarten
c) when they enter first grade
d) when they meet classmates
25. Of the following, the most effective way to encourage shared reading and to involve parents
in a child’s literacy development is to:
a) establish a classroom word wall
b) include worksheets in a homework packet
c) provide evening phonics classes for parents
d) send home traveling bags of books
1. The kindergarten teacher observed that her new five-year-old student, Mei, had developed
age-appropriate concepts about print. List three behaviors that would indicate that a child had
developed concepts about print.
2. List three characteristics of fluent readers.
3. Give three effective ways in which teachers can help children learn the letters of the alphabet.
Chapter 4 Answer Key for Multiple Choice Items
1. The kindergarten teacher observed that her new five-year-old student, Mei, had
developed age-appropriate concepts about print. List three behaviors that would indicate
that a child had developed concepts about print.
2. List three characteristics of fluent readers.
3. Give three effective ways in which teachers can help children learn the letters of the
alphabet.