RICA SUBTEST TWO 2026 REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The 4 types of contextual clues. Answer: 1. definition contextual
clue: author actually provides a definition for the target word in the
text
2. synonym contextual clue: another word in the paragraph is a
synonym for the target word
3. antonym contextual clue: another word in the paragraph is an
antonym for the target word
4. example contextual clue: the author of the text has provided a
definition of the target word by listing examples of the word in the
text
◉ Contextual Analysis. Answer: Trying to identify unknown words
by the sense of the sentence, search for the meaning of an unknown
word through an examination of its context. Help children figure out
meaning by using one of the 4 techniques: definition context clue,
synonym context clue, antonym context clue, and example context
clue
◉ using a dictionary (or other reference books). Answer: Important
for teachers to first model the use of the dictionary, then provide
students with a reasonable amount of guided practice, then
challenge them independently
,Need to understand: alphabetical order, guide words, dealing with
multiple meanings
◉ Describe instructional strategies that develop word consciousness
in students. Answer: word consciousness: Developing an interest in
words and their meanings
- Play games with synonyms/antonyms, homophones/homographs,
and idioms/puns
- Teach etymology: the history and development of words
◉ Explain how to use wide reading to increase vocabulary, academic
language, and background knowledge. Answer: "Wide reading" is a
reading strategy where students are encouraged to explore a variety
of texts, genres, and formats, rather than focusing on a single text, to
foster a love of reading and improve comprehension and vocabulary.
Wide, independent reading will increase a child's vocabulary
knowledge. To increase a child's capacity to use academic language
and to increase her level of background knowledge, she will need to
read books on new and different topics.
◉ Discuss how other language arts activities, other than reading,
support what students have learned.. Answer: Lessons on what
people refer to as English Grammar can improve vocabulary. These
, lessons should be on sentence structure, syntax, punctuation, and
capitalization.
◉ Differentiate instruction in vocab for (a) Struggling readers, (b)
English Learners, and (c) Advanced learners. Answer: (a) Struggling
readers: focus on key words, focus on less words (3-4 instead of 9),
reteach, concrete examples, variety of learning modes
(b) English Learners: focus on using concrete examples (real things,
illustrations, and charts) to teach meaning of words, cognates, build
knowledge of english morphemes (affixes)
(c) Advanced readers: increase pace, difficulty, and depth of topics
◉ Describe assessment devices to assess vocabulary knowledge.
Answer: 1. Test using Tests: use words in sentences for multiple
choice*; choose a synonym; analogies
2. Test in context: do kids know meanings of words when they read,
write, speak, and listen.
* valid multiple choice tests of vocabulary display the target word in
a sentence or phrase and provide possible definitions that are more
than a single word
◉ Describe how word analysis, fluency, vocab, academic language,
and background knowledge affect comprehension. Answer: Fluent
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The 4 types of contextual clues. Answer: 1. definition contextual
clue: author actually provides a definition for the target word in the
text
2. synonym contextual clue: another word in the paragraph is a
synonym for the target word
3. antonym contextual clue: another word in the paragraph is an
antonym for the target word
4. example contextual clue: the author of the text has provided a
definition of the target word by listing examples of the word in the
text
◉ Contextual Analysis. Answer: Trying to identify unknown words
by the sense of the sentence, search for the meaning of an unknown
word through an examination of its context. Help children figure out
meaning by using one of the 4 techniques: definition context clue,
synonym context clue, antonym context clue, and example context
clue
◉ using a dictionary (or other reference books). Answer: Important
for teachers to first model the use of the dictionary, then provide
students with a reasonable amount of guided practice, then
challenge them independently
,Need to understand: alphabetical order, guide words, dealing with
multiple meanings
◉ Describe instructional strategies that develop word consciousness
in students. Answer: word consciousness: Developing an interest in
words and their meanings
- Play games with synonyms/antonyms, homophones/homographs,
and idioms/puns
- Teach etymology: the history and development of words
◉ Explain how to use wide reading to increase vocabulary, academic
language, and background knowledge. Answer: "Wide reading" is a
reading strategy where students are encouraged to explore a variety
of texts, genres, and formats, rather than focusing on a single text, to
foster a love of reading and improve comprehension and vocabulary.
Wide, independent reading will increase a child's vocabulary
knowledge. To increase a child's capacity to use academic language
and to increase her level of background knowledge, she will need to
read books on new and different topics.
◉ Discuss how other language arts activities, other than reading,
support what students have learned.. Answer: Lessons on what
people refer to as English Grammar can improve vocabulary. These
, lessons should be on sentence structure, syntax, punctuation, and
capitalization.
◉ Differentiate instruction in vocab for (a) Struggling readers, (b)
English Learners, and (c) Advanced learners. Answer: (a) Struggling
readers: focus on key words, focus on less words (3-4 instead of 9),
reteach, concrete examples, variety of learning modes
(b) English Learners: focus on using concrete examples (real things,
illustrations, and charts) to teach meaning of words, cognates, build
knowledge of english morphemes (affixes)
(c) Advanced readers: increase pace, difficulty, and depth of topics
◉ Describe assessment devices to assess vocabulary knowledge.
Answer: 1. Test using Tests: use words in sentences for multiple
choice*; choose a synonym; analogies
2. Test in context: do kids know meanings of words when they read,
write, speak, and listen.
* valid multiple choice tests of vocabulary display the target word in
a sentence or phrase and provide possible definitions that are more
than a single word
◉ Describe how word analysis, fluency, vocab, academic language,
and background knowledge affect comprehension. Answer: Fluent
