Wisconsin FORT (Foundations of Reading) Practice Test

What is the best definition of Phonics?

1. Correspondence between sounds we hear in a word and the letters we use to create that sound or word

2. Sounds that letters make in isolation

3. The ability to read stories fluently

4. The relationship between syllables and sentences

The correct answer is: Correspondence between sounds we hear in a word and the letters we use to create that sound or word

Phonics is best defined as the correspondence between sounds we hear in a word and the letters we use to create that sound or word. This definition highlights the fundamental aspect of phonics, which is understanding the relationship between spoken language and written language. It emphasizes the importance of connecting sounds with specific letters or groups of letters to decode and encode words effectively. The other options are not accurate definitions of phonics. Phonics is not just about isolated sounds that letters make or the ability to read fluently; it is specifically about the connection between sounds and letters in reading and writing. The relationship between syllables and sentences is also not a defining characteristic of phonics.