MAP Reading (K-2) 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is a consonant blend in early phonics instruction?

Two vowels that make one sound
Two or more consonants whose sounds are combined while each is still heard (Correct answer)
A word that sounds the same as another word
A long vowel sound

Correct answer: Two or more consonants whose sounds are combined while each is still heard

A consonant blend combines two or more consonant sounds, each of which is still heard — for example, 'st' in 'stop' or 'bl' in 'blue.'

A consonant blend (or cluster) consists of two or more adjacent consonants where each consonant's sound is heard. Examples: 'st' (stop), 'bl' (blue), 'str' (street). This differs from a digraph where two letters make one new sound (e.g., 'sh' in 'ship'). MAP Growth K-2 tests blends as part of foundational phonics knowledge.

Question 2: Which sentence uses a period correctly?

Do you like cats.
The dog ran fast. (Correct answer)
Where is the ball?
I love pizza!

Correct answer: The dog ran fast.

A period ends a declarative (statement) sentence. 'The dog ran fast.' is a statement, so a period is correct.

Punctuation marks signal the type of sentence: Declarative sentences (statements) end with a period. Interrogative sentences (questions) end with a question mark. Exclamatory sentences (strong emotion) end with an exclamation point. Recognizing correct punctuation is part of language conventions assessed on MAP Growth K-2.

Question 3: A teacher reads aloud and asks: Why do you think the little bear was sad? This question is asking students to do what?

Recall a fact from the story
Make an inference (Correct answer)
Identify a vocabulary word
Sound out a word

Correct answer: Make an inference

Asking 'why' about a character's feelings that were not directly stated requires the student to make an inference — combining text clues with background knowledge.

Inference is the skill of drawing conclusions from evidence not explicitly stated. When a teacher asks 'Why do you think the little bear was sad?' students must use clues from the story combined with their own understanding to form a reasonable interpretation. MAP Growth assesses inference even in K-2, as it is a core comprehension skill developed early and refined throughout schooling.

Question 4: Which word contains a digraph?

Slip
Chat (Correct answer)
Step
Flat

Correct answer: Chat

'Chat' contains the digraph 'ch' — two letters that together make a single sound that is different from either letter alone.

A digraph is two letters that together represent a single phoneme (sound) that is different from either letter's individual sound. Common digraphs: 'ch' (chair), 'sh' (ship), 'th' (think), 'wh' (whale), 'ph' (phone). In 'chat,' the letters 'c' and 'h' together make the ch sound — a single new sound. MAP Growth K-2 tests digraph recognition as a foundational phonics skill.

Question 5: A 1st grader reads a book about frogs. After reading, which question best checks if they understood the main topic?

What color is the cover?
What is this book mostly about? (Correct answer)
How many pages are in the book?
Did you like reading the book?

Correct answer: What is this book mostly about?

'What is this book mostly about?' directly assesses comprehension of the main topic or central idea.

Comprehension questions vary in depth. Questions about cover color or page count test no comprehension. 'Did you like it?' is an affective response. 'What is this book mostly about?' directly assesses whether the student grasped the main topic or central idea — a foundational comprehension skill. MAP Growth K-2 Reading includes questions that assess students' ability to identify the main topic of informational texts.

Question 6: What is the meaning of the prefix 'un-' in the word 'unhappy'?

Very
Before
Not or opposite of (Correct answer)
Again

Correct answer: Not or opposite of

The prefix 'un-' means 'not' or 'the opposite of.' So 'unhappy' means 'not happy.'

Prefixes are word parts added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning. The prefix 'un-' means 'not' or 'opposite of': unhappy (not happy), undo (reverse doing), unfair (not fair), unclear (not clear). Understanding prefixes is a vocabulary strategy taught in early grades and assessed on MAP Growth. Other common prefixes at K-2: re- (again), pre- (before), dis- (not/opposite).

MAP Reading (K-2) 2

What is a consonant blend in early phonics instruction?