TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

Connecting speech sounds with printed letters is best described by phonics. Phonics is an essential concept in early literacy instruction that focuses on the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and their corresponding letters or letter combinations (graphemes) in written language. This approach helps learners decode words, facilitating their ability to read fluently and effectively.

While phonemic awareness refers to the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words, it does not encompass the relationship with printed letters. Structural analysis involves the study of word structures and meanings—such as prefixes, suffixes, and root words—rather than the sound-letter connection. Comprehension involves understanding and interpreting what is read, which comes after grasping the basics of phonics and decoding. Thus, phonics is the concept that specifically addresses the connection between speech sounds and printed letters.