Mississippi Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is meant by the "alphabetic principle"?

1. Understanding that written words represent spoken phonemes

2. An approach to teach reading using sight words

3. The use of prefixes and suffixes in word formation

4. A strategy for improving vocabulary

The correct answer is: Understanding that written words represent spoken phonemes

The alphabetic principle refers to the understanding that written letters and combinations of letters represent the sounds of spoken language, which includes phonemes. This foundational concept is crucial for reading development, as it establishes the relationship between phonology (the sound system of a language) and orthography (the written representation of that language). By recognizing that letters correspond to specific sounds, learners can decode words, sound them out, and ultimately develop reading skills. This principle lays the groundwork for phonics instruction and is essential for effective literacy education. Other options, while they may relate to aspects of reading and language, do not capture the essence of the alphabetic principle. For instance, teaching reading through sight words emphasizes memorization of words rather than the phonic relationships between letters and sounds, and strategies for improving vocabulary focus on expanding word knowledge rather than understanding the connection between letters and sounds. The use of prefixes and suffixes involves morphological knowledge and word formation but does not directly explain the relationship between letters and phonemes.