New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Why is it important to preview difficult words before reading?

1. It complicates the reading process

2. It builds readers' confidence and helps with decoding

3. It distracts from the main text

4. It creates more confusion in reading

The correct answer is: It builds readers' confidence and helps with decoding

Previewing difficult words before reading is important because it helps to build readers' confidence and enhances their decoding skills. When readers encounter challenging vocabulary in advance, they can familiarize themselves with the pronunciation and meaning of those words, which reduces anxiety and uncertainty. This preparation allows them to focus more on overall comprehension when they encounter these words in the context of the text. Additionally, understanding difficult words beforehand allows readers to decode them more effectively during reading. This means they can spend less mental energy deciphering individual words and more on understanding the main ideas and themes of the text. Consequently, preemptively addressing challenging vocabulary leads to a smoother reading experience and deeper comprehension of the material.