16. As Darnell reads, he stops between words and points from one word to the next. His teacher suggests, 'Put your words together so that the sentence sounds like talking.' Which of the following key reading skills will Darnell develop by following the teacher's suggestion?

Answer: C

Explanation:

Darnell will develop phrasing skills by following his teacher's suggestion.

By integrating the words into a more natural flow, Darnell will enhance his ability to read with appropriate phrasing, which is crucial for comprehension and fluency.

A) Word meaning

While understanding the meaning of words is important in reading, Darnell's teacher's guidance focuses on the flow of reading rather than the definitions of individual words. Therefore, this option does not directly address the skill Darnell is being encouraged to develop.

B) Questioning

Questioning involves generating inquiries about the text to deepen understanding. Darnell's teacher's suggestion does not relate to this skill, as it emphasizes reading fluency rather than the ability to ask questions about the content.

C) Phrasing

This option is correct as it highlights the importance of reading words together to create a coherent and fluid sentence. Darnell’s teacher is specifically encouraging him to connect words in a way that mimics natural speech, which directly pertains to developing phrasing skills.

D) Phonics

Phonics involves the relationship between letters and sounds, focusing on decoding words. While this is a crucial reading skill, it does not relate to the teacher's advice about reading sentences fluently, making this option incorrect in the given context.

Conclusion

Darnell's development of phrasing skills is essential for improving his reading fluency and comprehension. The other options, while important in their own right, do not align with the specific guidance provided by his teacher, which is aimed at enhancing the flow and natural rhythm of his reading. Thus, option C is the most appropriate answer.