CEP Reading & Literacy Support 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the 'alphabetic principle'?
- Letters of the alphabet are memorized in order from A to Z
- Written letters and letter patterns represent spoken sounds (Correct answer)
- Every word contains exactly one vowel
- Capital letters are used to begin sentences
Correct answer: Written letters and letter patterns represent spoken sounds
The alphabetic principle is the understanding that letters and letter combinations systematically represent the phonemes of spoken language.
Question 2: A paraprofessional is working with a student on vocabulary using the Frayer Model. Which four sections does this graphic organizer include?
- Definition, synonyms, antonyms, and a picture
- Definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples (Correct answer)
- Word, syllables, origin, and sentence
- Part of speech, prefix, root, and suffix
Correct answer: Definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples
The Frayer Model organizer has four quadrants: definition, characteristics (facts/traits), examples, and non-examples, promoting deep word understanding.
Question 3: During guided reading, what is the primary role of the paraprofessional?
- Read the entire text aloud to the small group
- Provide strategic prompts and support while students do most of the reading (Correct answer)
- Assign independent reading and record completion
- Test students on comprehension after each chapter
Correct answer: Provide strategic prompts and support while students do most of the reading
In guided reading, the paraprofessional supports students with prompts and scaffolds as students practice reading at their instructional level with minimal direct reading by the adult.
Question 4: Which type of text structure signals that an author is explaining how two or more things are alike and different?
- Sequence
- Cause and effect
- Compare and contrast (Correct answer)
- Problem and solution
Correct answer: Compare and contrast
Compare and contrast text structure organizes information by examining the similarities and differences between two or more subjects.
Question 5: A paraprofessional uses 'think-alouds' while reading with a student. What is the purpose of this strategy?
- Encourage the student to read louder so the teacher can hear
- Model the internal thinking process good readers use to comprehend text (Correct answer)
- Assess whether the student is paying attention during reading
- Help the student memorize key vocabulary words
Correct answer: Model the internal thinking process good readers use to comprehend text
Think-alouds make the invisible mental processes of skilled readers visible by verbalizing thoughts, predictions, and strategies while reading.
Question 6: Which intervention is most appropriate when a student repeatedly omits word endings such as '-ed' and '-s' when reading aloud?
- Increase reading rate drills to improve fluency
- Focus instruction on morphological awareness and inflectional endings (Correct answer)
- Switch the student to an easier reading level immediately
- Have the student re-read only the sentences with errors
Correct answer: Focus instruction on morphological awareness and inflectional endings
Morphological awareness instruction targets the meaning and structure of word parts, including inflectional endings, directly addressing the student's pattern of omissions.
Question 7: Which of the following is an evidence-based approach recommended for teaching reading to students with dyslexia?
- Whole language instruction focusing on meaning and context
- Structured Literacy, which includes systematic and explicit phonics instruction (Correct answer)
- Silent reading time with minimal teacher interaction
- Memorizing high-frequency words exclusively
Correct answer: Structured Literacy, which includes systematic and explicit phonics instruction
Structured Literacy is an evidence-based instructional approach that teaches phonology, sound-symbol correspondence, and decoding in a systematic, explicit, and cumulative manner, which is particularly effective for students with dyslexia.
CEP Reading & Literacy Support 2
Which of the following best describes the 'alphabetic principle'?