Mississippi Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What does the term automaticity refer to?

1. The ability to read with speed and comprehension

2. The skill of summarizing reading material

3. Intermediate writing skills

4. The process of oral expression of reading

The correct answer is: The ability to read with speed and comprehension

Automaticity refers to the ability to perform a task effortlessly and quickly, which in the context of reading means the capacity to read with both speed and comprehension without having to consciously think about decoding the words. When a reader has achieved automaticity, they can focus more on understanding the text rather than on the mechanics of reading, allowing for a smoother and more fluent reading experience. This skill is essential for effective reading, as it enables readers to engage with complex texts and improve their overall literacy. The other options address different skills: summarizing reading material pertains to comprehension and synthesizing information; intermediate writing skills relate to the ability to compose text; and oral expression of reading focuses on verbal communication rather than the automatic processing of text. Each of these skills is valuable, but they do not define automaticity in reading.