3253: Module 2- Reading Difficulties in Context

What was one of the earliest forms of writing developed by the Mesopotamians around 3500 BC?

• Hieroglyphics

• Cuneiform

• Phoenician Alphabet

• Latin Script

Answer explanation

Cuneiform was one of the earliest forms of writing developed by the Mesopotamians around 3500 BC. It used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets, distinguishing it from other writing systems like hieroglyphics and the Phoenician alphabet.

Which civilization is credited with developing the first alphabet-based writing system?

• Egyptians

• Greeks

• Phoenicians

• Romans

Answer explanation

The Phoenicians are credited with developing the first alphabet-based writing system around 1050 BCE. Their script influenced many later alphabets, including Greek and Latin, making them pivotal in the history of writing.

In the Middle Ages, who were the primary keepers of literacy in Europe?

• Merchants

• Monks in monasteries

• Knights

• Peasants

Answer explanation

In the Middle Ages, monks in monasteries were the primary keepers of literacy in Europe. They copied and preserved texts, making them crucial for maintaining knowledge during a time when education was limited.

The Renaissance saw an increase in literacy largely due to

• The development of the printing press

• The decline of the church's influence

• The spread of hieroglyphics

• The invention of paper

Answer explanation

The development of the printing press during the Renaissance made books more accessible, significantly increasing literacy rates. This innovation allowed for the widespread distribution of knowledge, unlike the other options.

During the Enlightenment, reading was viewed as a tool for:

• Religious indoctrination

• Personal and societal enlightenment

• Military strategy

• Agricultural practices

Answer explanation

During the Enlightenment, reading was seen as a means to achieve personal and societal enlightenment, promoting reason, knowledge, and critical thinking, rather than serving religious, military, or agricultural purposes.

Which of these was NOT one of the classical approaches to reading instruction in early America?

• Whole Word

• Phonics

• Whole Language

• Syllabic Method

Answer explanation

The Whole Language approach emerged later and emphasizes meaning and context over phonics and word recognition, making it distinct from the classical methods like Whole Word, Phonics, and Syllabic Method used in early America.

The 'Look-Say' method corresponds most closely to which classical approach?

• Whole Word

• Phonics

• Whole Language

• Syllabic Method

Answer explanation

The 'Look-Say' method emphasizes recognizing whole words rather than decoding sounds, aligning it closely with the Whole Word approach, which focuses on teaching words as complete units.

What analogy does Kilpatrick use to describe the need for empirical research in reading education?

• Cooking without a recipe

• Building a house without a blueprint

• The Wright Brothers' use of the wind tunnel

• Sailing without a map

Answer explanation

Kilpatrick compares the need for empirical research in reading education to the Wright Brothers' use of the wind tunnel, emphasizing that just as they tested their designs to ensure success, educators must rely on research to inform effective reading practices.

Which publication in the 1980s significantly influenced the resurgence of phonics in reading instruction?

• "The Reading Wars"

• "Becoming a Nation of Readers"

• "The Science of Reading"

• "Preventing Reading Difficulties"

Answer explanation

"Becoming a Nation of Readers" was a pivotal report in the 1980s that advocated for phonics-based instruction, significantly impacting reading education and promoting the importance of phonics in teaching children to read.

The 'Reading Wars' primarily refer to debates between:

• Phonics vs. Whole Language

• Public vs. Private Education

• Reading vs. Writing Instruction

• Traditional vs. Digital Literacy

Answer explanation

The 'Reading Wars' primarily refer to the debate between phonics, which emphasizes decoding words, and whole language, which focuses on comprehension and context. This conflict shapes reading instruction methods in education.