New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is a characteristic of receptive disorders?

1. Difficulty with articulation

2. Difficulty understanding messages communicated by others

3. Inability to use sentences correctly

4. Difficulty with vocal tone

The correct answer is: Difficulty understanding messages communicated by others

A characteristic of receptive disorders is the difficulty in understanding messages communicated by others. Receptive language involves the ability to comprehend and process the information that is being received from others, whether it be verbal or nonverbal communication. Individuals with receptive language disorders may have challenges in following directions, understanding conversations, or grasping the meaning of words and sentences. This can greatly affect their ability to participate in social interactions and academic settings because they struggle to make sense of the input they receive. The other options relate more to expressive language or articulation issues rather than receptive disorders. For instance, issues with articulation pertain to how sounds are produced, which is an expressive characteristic. Inability to use sentences correctly also highlights expressive language difficulties. Difficulty with vocal tone is more about how language is delivered rather than how it is understood. Therefore, focusing on the comprehension aspect highlights why difficulty understanding messages is the defining characteristic of receptive disorders.