TEXES Science of Teaching Reading (STR)
Exam Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Latest Versions 2025 Graded A+
1. .Which of the following is a key component of effective
phonics instruction according to the National Reading Panel?.
A. Implicit instruction through exposure to texts
B. Explicit and systematic instruction in letter-sound
correspondences
C. Focusing primarily on whole-word memorization
D. Delaying phonics until fluency is achieved
.Correct Answer: B.
.Elaboration:. The National Reading Panel (2000) emphasized
that effective phonics instruction is explicit (directly teaching
rules and patterns) and systematic (following a planned
sequence from simple to complex). This helps students decode
words independently. Options A and C represent less effective
approaches (implicit or whole-language), while D contradicts
,research showing early phonics supports overall reading
development.
2. .A kindergarten teacher is promoting phonological
awareness. Which activity best targets phoneme
segmentation?.
A. Rhyming games with word families
B. Clapping syllables in words
C. Breaking words into individual sounds (e.g., /c/ /a/ /t/ for
"cat") using Elkonin boxes
D. Identifying beginning letters in print
.Correct Answer: C.
.Elaboration:. Phoneme segmentation is the advanced level of
phonological awareness, involving isolating and manipulating
individual sounds. Elkonin boxes (sound boxes) provide a
multisensory way to segment phonemes. Options A and B
target earlier skills (rhyming and syllabication), while D focuses
on phonics/print awareness.
,3. .Which of the following are appropriate ways to help students
develop literacy in an early elementary classroom? (Select all
that apply.).
A. Expect students to provide text evidence for their answers
B. Provide flexible classroom seating to facilitate transitions
between independent work and peer discussions
C. Require each student to read unfamiliar texts aloud to the
class regularly
D. Prevent overlap in writing and speaking instruction until
reading mastery is achieved
.Correct Answers: A and B.
.Elaboration:. A promotes comprehension and critical thinking
by requiring evidence-based responses (aligned with close
reading strategies). B supports collaborative discussions, which
build oral language and comprehension. C can cause anxiety
and is not research-based for fluency building (better to use
repeated readings or paired practice). D ignores the
interconnectedness of literacy skills (listening, speaking,
reading, writing develop together).
, 4. .A second-grade student struggles with reading multisyllabic
words. The most effective intervention is:.
A. More sight-word memorization
B. Structural analysis instruction (e.g., teaching prefixes,
suffixes, and syllable division patterns)
C. Increased independent reading time only
D. Focusing solely on comprehension strategies
.Correct Answer: B.
.Elaboration:. Morphological and syllabication knowledge
(structural analysis) helps decode longer words, a key
foundational skill for grades 2+. This is explicit instruction in
morphology and syllable types. A is limited to irregular words; C
lacks targeted support; D addresses a later stage but ignores
decoding issues.
5. .According to the Simple View of Reading, reading
comprehension is the product of:.
A. Decoding × Language Comprehension
B. Fluency + Vocabulary
C. Phonemic Awareness + Phonics
Exam Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Latest Versions 2025 Graded A+
1. .Which of the following is a key component of effective
phonics instruction according to the National Reading Panel?.
A. Implicit instruction through exposure to texts
B. Explicit and systematic instruction in letter-sound
correspondences
C. Focusing primarily on whole-word memorization
D. Delaying phonics until fluency is achieved
.Correct Answer: B.
.Elaboration:. The National Reading Panel (2000) emphasized
that effective phonics instruction is explicit (directly teaching
rules and patterns) and systematic (following a planned
sequence from simple to complex). This helps students decode
words independently. Options A and C represent less effective
approaches (implicit or whole-language), while D contradicts
,research showing early phonics supports overall reading
development.
2. .A kindergarten teacher is promoting phonological
awareness. Which activity best targets phoneme
segmentation?.
A. Rhyming games with word families
B. Clapping syllables in words
C. Breaking words into individual sounds (e.g., /c/ /a/ /t/ for
"cat") using Elkonin boxes
D. Identifying beginning letters in print
.Correct Answer: C.
.Elaboration:. Phoneme segmentation is the advanced level of
phonological awareness, involving isolating and manipulating
individual sounds. Elkonin boxes (sound boxes) provide a
multisensory way to segment phonemes. Options A and B
target earlier skills (rhyming and syllabication), while D focuses
on phonics/print awareness.
,3. .Which of the following are appropriate ways to help students
develop literacy in an early elementary classroom? (Select all
that apply.).
A. Expect students to provide text evidence for their answers
B. Provide flexible classroom seating to facilitate transitions
between independent work and peer discussions
C. Require each student to read unfamiliar texts aloud to the
class regularly
D. Prevent overlap in writing and speaking instruction until
reading mastery is achieved
.Correct Answers: A and B.
.Elaboration:. A promotes comprehension and critical thinking
by requiring evidence-based responses (aligned with close
reading strategies). B supports collaborative discussions, which
build oral language and comprehension. C can cause anxiety
and is not research-based for fluency building (better to use
repeated readings or paired practice). D ignores the
interconnectedness of literacy skills (listening, speaking,
reading, writing develop together).
, 4. .A second-grade student struggles with reading multisyllabic
words. The most effective intervention is:.
A. More sight-word memorization
B. Structural analysis instruction (e.g., teaching prefixes,
suffixes, and syllable division patterns)
C. Increased independent reading time only
D. Focusing solely on comprehension strategies
.Correct Answer: B.
.Elaboration:. Morphological and syllabication knowledge
(structural analysis) helps decode longer words, a key
foundational skill for grades 2+. This is explicit instruction in
morphology and syllable types. A is limited to irregular words; C
lacks targeted support; D addresses a later stage but ignores
decoding issues.
5. .According to the Simple View of Reading, reading
comprehension is the product of:.
A. Decoding × Language Comprehension
B. Fluency + Vocabulary
C. Phonemic Awareness + Phonics
