Mississippi Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What type of book is referred to as a basal reader?

1. A book designed to teach reading using a whole words approach

2. A textbook focusing on vocabulary enhancement

3. A novel meant for literary analysis

4. A collection of phonics exercises

The correct answer is: A book designed to teach reading using a whole words approach

A basal reader is specifically designed as a foundational tool for teaching reading, typically using a whole words approach. This type of book is carefully structured to appeal to early readers by integrating engaging stories and illustrations that help them develop reading fluency and comprehension. The focus is on immersing students in language through context and meaning rather than solely through word decoding skills. In contrast, other types of books mentioned have different purposes: textbooks focusing on vocabulary enhancement aim to develop word knowledge without necessarily providing a narrative context; novels meant for literary analysis are primarily used to teach themes, characters, and structure in literature rather than basic reading skills; and collections of phonics exercises are primarily aimed at teaching sound-letter correspondence, which is a more specific skill apart from the broad reading competencies emphasized in basal readers.