Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes automaticity?

1. Effortless reading of complex behavior

2. Conscious manipulation of phonemes

3. A skilled behavior requiring distraction

4. Reading aloud with great expression

The correct answer is: Effortless reading of complex behavior

Automaticity refers to the ability to perform a skill effortlessly and quickly, often without conscious thought. In the context of reading, automaticity is crucial because it enables readers to decode words and phrases fluidly, allowing them to focus on comprehension rather than getting bogged down by the mechanics of reading. The concept of automaticity underscores that proficient readers recognize words instantly, recognize familiar patterns, and can read in a manner that feels natural, which aligns with the idea of "effortless reading." This allows cognitive resources to be dedicated to understanding and engaging with the text, rather than the process of decoding itself. In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that do not align with the definition of automaticity. For example, conscious manipulation of phonemes refers to phonemic awareness, which requires active thought and effort, contrary to the effortless quality of automaticity. Similarly, skilled behavior requiring distraction suggests an interference with focus, which is the opposite of what automaticity enables. Lastly, reading aloud with great expression is related to prosody and does not capture the essence of automaticity, which is about the seamless and fluent recognition of text.