RICA Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge 2

Question 1

A teacher uses 'repeated read-alouds' of the same text with different focuses each time. What is the MAIN benefit of this strategy for vocabulary development?

Accepted Answer

It provides multiple exposures to words in context, deepening word knowledge

Answer

It eliminates the need for explicit vocabulary instruction

Answer

It primarily improves students' decoding skills

Answer

It reduces the time teachers need to spend on comprehension instruction

Question 2

Which statement BEST describes the relationship between background knowledge and reading comprehension on the RICA?

Accepted Answer

Students with richer background knowledge can better construct meaning from text

Answer

Background knowledge matters only for informational text, not literary text

Answer

Decoding skills are more important than background knowledge for comprehension

Answer

Background knowledge cannot be taught and must develop naturally

Question 3

A teacher introduces the word 'tenacious' by using it in multiple sentences, showing pictures, and having students act it out. This approach reflects which vocabulary principle?

Accepted Answer

Multimodal, rich vocabulary instruction

Answer

Incidental word learning

Answer

Decontextualized word study

Answer

Phonics-based word recognition

Question 4

According to RICA content, which is an example of academic language that students need explicit instruction in?

Accepted Answer

Transition words like 'however,' 'therefore,' and 'in contrast' used in academic writing

Answer

Colloquial phrases used in everyday conversation

Answer

Slang terms common in peer interactions

Answer

Regional dialects used in informal speech

Question 5

Which strategy BEST helps ELL students build vocabulary while reading grade-level text?

Accepted Answer

Pre-teaching key vocabulary with visuals and student-friendly definitions before reading

Answer

Replacing grade-level texts with simpler passages to avoid frustration

Answer

Having students skip unfamiliar words to maintain reading momentum

Answer

Requiring students to translate words into their home language only

Question 6

A student knows the word 'photograph' but does not recognize 'photosynthesis.' Which instructional approach BEST leverages this prior knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Using the known root 'photo' (light) to explain the meaning of 'photosynthesis'

Answer

Teaching the student to sound out 'photosynthesis' phoneme by phoneme

Answer

Assigning the student to read a paragraph about photosynthesis independently

Answer

Providing a written definition only and asking the student to copy it