New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Preparation

Prosody in reading expression pertains to the rhythm, stress, and intonation used when reading aloud. This involves the ability to convey meaning through appropriate phrasing, including the rise and fall of the voice, pauses, and emphasis on certain words or phrases, all of which contribute to the emotional tone and clarity of the text.

Effective prosody allows readers to interpret the text in a way that reflects its meaning, helping to engage listeners and provide an interpretation that aligns with the author’s intent. For example, a reader who uses prosody effectively can enhance storytelling, making it more engaging by varying their voice to indicate excitement, sadness, or suspense as appropriate to the narrative.

In contrast, reading speed, decoding abilities, and understanding text structure are important aspects of reading development but do not encompass the concept of prosody. Reading speed focuses on how quickly one reads, decoding refers to the ability to recognize and process words, and understanding text structure relates to how well one comprehends the organization of information within the text. Therefore, the correct answer accurately reflects the multi-dimensional nature of prosody in reading expression.