Which term describes the ability to recognize common words by sight without decoding?

Which term describes the ability to recognize common words by sight without decoding?

• A. Non-word reading
• B. Sight word reading
• C. Reading speed
• D. Reading accuracy

Answer: (B)

Recognizing common words by sight without decoding is called sight word reading. This kind of reading relies on automatic, whole-word recognition of high-frequency words, so you can read them instantly without sounding out letters. It’s different from non-word reading, which tests decoding by having you pronounce unfamiliar letter strings or pseudo-words to see how well you apply letter-sound rules. Reading speed, meanwhile, gauges how fast you read, and reading accuracy measures how many words you read correctly, but neither specifically captures the ability to recognize familiar words instantly without decoding. Sight word reading best captures that quick, automatic recognition.

Recognizing common words by sight without decoding is called sight word reading. This kind of reading relies on automatic, whole-word recognition of high-frequency words, so you can read them instantly without sounding out letters. It’s different from non-word reading, which tests decoding by having you pronounce unfamiliar letter strings or pseudo-words to see how well you apply letter-sound rules. Reading speed, meanwhile, gauges how fast you read, and reading accuracy measures how many words you read correctly, but neither specifically captures the ability to recognize familiar words instantly without decoding. Sight word reading best captures that quick, automatic recognition.