Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

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What does phonological awareness involve?

  1. Understanding that sentences are composed of syllables

  2. Recognizing that words are composed of phonemes

  3. Distinguishing between written symbols

  4. Identifying the main idea of a text

The correct answer is: Recognizing that words are composed of phonemes

Phonological awareness is a critical skill in early literacy that specifically involves the ability to recognize and manipulate the sound structures of spoken language. This includes being aware of phonemes, which are the smallest units of sound in speech. The correct answer emphasizes that phonological awareness involves the recognition that words are made up of these phonemes, allowing individuals to engage in tasks such as blending sounds into words or segmenting words into their component sounds. Understanding that sentences are composed of syllables is a related skill known as syllabic awareness, which is a component of phonological awareness, but it does not encompass the full definition. Distinguishing between written symbols pertains more to reading and literacy skills, rather than the auditory-focused aspects of phonological awareness. Identifying the main idea of a text is a comprehension skill that occurs after establishing a basic understanding of language structure and is not directly related to phonological awareness.