New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What constitutes an open syllable?

1. A syllable ending in a consonant

2. A syllable ending in a vowel with a long vowel sound

3. A syllable that cannot stand alone

4. A syllable with a silent letter

The correct answer is: A syllable ending in a vowel with a long vowel sound

An open syllable is defined as a syllable that ends with a vowel and typically has a long vowel sound. This means that when a syllable has no consonant concluding it, the vowel sound tends to be pronounced as a long vowel. For example, in the word "he," the syllable is open, and the "e" is a long vowel sound. Open syllables play an important role in phonics instruction and contribute significantly to a reader's understanding of pronunciation and vowel behavior within words. Understanding this concept is crucial for educators as they guide students in recognizing patterns in syllable structure and pronunciation. The other answer choices do not accurately describe an open syllable. A syllable ending in a consonant refers to a closed syllable. A syllable that cannot stand alone pertains more to the concept of dependent or unstressed syllables. Lastly, a syllable with a silent letter does not relate specifically to the open syllable definition, which focuses on vowel sounds rather than the presence of silent letters.