Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

Reading fluency is defined as the ability to:

1. Summarize information accurately

2. Decipher written text effortlessly and accurately

3. Read without any pauses

4. Comprehend text only after rereading multiple times

The correct answer is: Decipher written text effortlessly and accurately

Reading fluency is understood as the ability to read written text effortlessly and accurately. This encompasses not only the ability to decode words but also to read at a comfortable pace and with expression. Fluency is crucial in helping readers focus on understanding the meaning of the text rather than getting caught up in the mechanics of reading. The definition of fluency highlights the importance of both accuracy and speed in reading, allowing a reader to engage with the text more fully. As fluency develops, readers become better equipped to retain and comprehend information while reading, effectively strengthening their overall reading skills. The other choices provide insights into different aspects of reading but do not capture the essence of fluency. For example, summarizing information accurately is related to comprehension rather than fluency itself. Reading without pauses may suggest fluency but misses the critical element of accuracy, while comprehending text only after multiple readings indicates a lack of fluency, as fluent readers should be able to grasp the meaning more readily on the first go.