Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What does "fluency" in reading NOT primarily refer to?

1. Fast word identification

2. Reading with rhythm

3. Correct pronunciation

4. Reading with expression

The correct answer is: Correct pronunciation

Fluency in reading primarily encompasses several key components that contribute to a student’s ability to read effectively and efficiently. These components include fast word identification, reading with rhythm, and reading with expression. Fast word identification allows readers to recognize words quickly, which helps facilitate a smoother reading experience without frequent pauses to decode or sound out words. Reading with rhythm refers to the natural flow and pacing that speakers use, which is particularly important in maintaining comprehension and engagement with the text. Reading with expression adds an emotional or contextual element to the reading, making it more dynamic and enhancing understanding of the material. The aspect of correct pronunciation is indeed important in the realm of reading but is not primarily what fluency refers to. Fluency is more concerned with the overall ability to read text smoothly and cohesively, rather than focusing on the accuracy of pronunciation alone. While proper pronunciation can contribute to overall fluency in speech, it does not capture the full essence of what fluency means in the context of reading. Therefore, emphasizing reading with expression, rhythm, and fast word identification paints a more accurate picture of fluency.