Chapter 5: Cracking the Alphabetic Code
Multiple Choice Items
1. The smallest units of speech are known as:
a) phonemes
b) graphemes
c) morphemes
d) phonics
2. A first grade teacher conducted a lesson on word families and asked the children to write
words on the chalkboard. This could best be described as a lesson in:
a) phonics
b) phonemic analysis
c) miscue analysis
d) literacy strategies
3. Of the following, the most powerful predictor of later reading achievement appears to be a
child’s:
a) social maturity
b) visual discrimination
c) fine-motor skills
d) phonemic awareness
4. Phonemic awareness instruction should be:
a) integrated with other components of a balanced literacy program
b) isolated to emphasize phonics skills
c) used only with children with limited exposure to the English language
d) emphasized at all grade levels
5. In the English language, there are:
a) 26 phonemes
b) 44 phonemes
c) 100 phonemes
d) over 500 phonemes
6. When children have difficulty spelling a word, effective teachers should tell them to:
a) sound it out
b) think it out
c) use an alternative word
d) use a thesaurus
7. Of the following, the best way to help children become better spellers is to:
a) engage them in daily reading and writing activities
b) encourage them to use drill and practice software
c) administer weekly spelling tests
d) take running records
8. A group of second grade students need help spelling high frequency words. The best way for
their teacher to help them gain independence in their spelling and writing would be to:
a) monitor the completion of spelling worksheets
b) post high frequency words on a classroom word wall
c) administer weekly spelling tests
d) encourage the students to sound out words
9. Which stage marks children’s growing awareness of the alphabetic principle?
a) emergent
b) reading
c) beginning
d) fluent
10. A teacher examined the misspelled words in her students’ compositions. An analysis of these
misspelled words will most likely help the teacher assess her students’:
a) writing fluency
b) understanding of morphemes
c) ability to apply phonics generalizations
d) ability to use graphic organizers
11. During which stage do children gain an understanding of the communicative purpose of print
and develop an interest in reading and writing?
a) emergent
b) reading
c) beginning
d) fluent
12. The belief that there should be a one-to-one correspondence between phonemes and
graphemes so that each sound is consistently represented by one letter is known as:
a) Morphemic Analysis
b) the Matthew Effect
c) the Peter Effect
d) the Alphabetic Principle
13. Interactive writing involves all of the following except
a) creating a text together
b) sharing the pen
c) the teacher writing a text for the students
d) adult and child participation
14. Six-year-old Rachel proudly said she could read the word fish because it looked like the word
dish. This child was demonstrating her awareness of:
a) phonemic awareness
b) morphemic analysis
c) miscue analysis
d) word families
15. The principal wisely told a new first grade teacher that her daily instructional schedule
should include:
a) computerized phonics drills
b) round-robin reading activities
c) time for students to complete phonics worksheets
d) opportunities for students to apply phonics concepts as they read
16. Phonics instruction should be viewed as:
a) a complete reading program
b) part of a balanced approach that includes authentic reading and writing
c) essential for students in kindergarten to grade six
d) the best way to help students understand morphemes
17. Five-year-old Adam wrote the sentence, “My mom sed no.” When Adam wrote sed for said,
he showed that he was using:
a) conventional spelling
b) invented spelling
c) traditional spelling
d) orthographic spelling
18. The Language Experience Approach is
a) an effective approach for fluent readers and writers.
b) based on children’s language and experiences.
c) most appropriate for older students
d) is focused on oral language development.
19. Ways to encourage children’s alphabet learning include all of the following except
a) capitalize on children’s interests
b) talk about the role of letters in reading and writing
c) provide a variety of opportunities for alphabet learning
d) comlpete a worksheet for every letter of the alphabet
20. Proofreading should be introduced:
a) in the primary grades
b) when a student has reached a fourth grade instructional reading level
c) when a student has reached a sixth grade instructional reading level
d) when a student can spell content area vocabulary correctly
21. All of the following are characteristics of fluent readers and writers except
a) they struggle with reading and writing
b) they’re familiar with a variety of genres and know how to organize their writing
c) they use conventional spelling and other written language conventions
d) they recognize hundreds of words automatically
22. Minilessons are:
a) a way to share books with children that are too difficult for the children to read themselves
b) a daily literacy routine teachers use to teach literacy concepts, strategies, and skills
c) texts that have repeated sentences rhyme, or other patterns
d) a way to take dictations from children
23. Predictable books are
a) a way to share books with children that are too difficult for the children to read themselves
b) a daily literacy routine teachers use to teach literacy concepts, strategies, and skills
c) texts that have repeated sentences rhyme, or other patterns
d) a way to take dictations from children
24. Shared reading is
a) a way to share books with children that are too difficult for the children to read themselves
b) a daily literacy routine teachers use to teach literacy concepts, strategies, and skills
c) texts that have repeated sentences rhyme, or other patterns
d) a way to take dictations from children
25. More fluent readers prefer to read silently because
a) teachers cannot tell if they are actually reading
b) they can read more quickly than when they read orally
c) it is easier to read silently than orally
d) no one will hear their reading mistakes
1. Briefly describe the stages of literacy development.
2. Describe three steps that teachers can take to encourage children’s alphabet learning.
3. Describe three instructional practices specifically designed for work with young children
and other novice readers and writers.
Chapter 5 Answer Key for Multiple Choice Items
1. Briefly describe the stages of literacy development.
2. Describe three steps that teachers can take to encourage children’s alphabet learning.
3. Describe three instructional practices specifically designed for work with young
children and other novice readers and writers.