TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

Which writing sample produced by first graders relies most on the use of alphabet letter names as a spelling strategy?

1. I PLD W MI DOG TD. (I played with my dog today.)

2. U R MI BST FN. (You are my best friend.)

3. TM LIKS TO RN FAS. (Tim likes to run fast.)

4. MY STR WEN TO THE PK. (My sister went to the park.)

The correct answer is: TM LIKS TO RN FAS. (Tim likes to run fast.)

The writing sample that most relies on the use of alphabet letter names as a spelling strategy is the one that simplifies the sounds of words into their corresponding letter names, often reflecting a phonetic spelling approach rather than standardized spelling conventions. In this instance, the sample "TM LIKS TO RN FAS" (Tim likes to run fast) demonstrates a phonetic representation where the student is using the sounds they hear and matching them to the names of the letters. For instance, "LIKS" corresponds to the sounds in "likes," and "RN" represents the sound of "run." This approach is very typical of early literacy development, where students are attempting to spell words based on their phonemic awareness, using letter names as a reference point, which results in unconventional but phonetically reasonable spellings. The other samples show varying degrees of adherence to the conventional spelling patterns, often including letters or combinations that are more closely aligned with the correct spellings instead of relying heavily on phonological sound-letter correspondences. Therefore, the choice that showcases the strongest reliance on letter sounds and names as a spelling strategy aligns best with the concept of using the alphabet in this foundational way.