17. The Simple View formula is given as reading comprehension (RC) score in percent equals decoding (D) skill score in percent × language comprehension (LC) skills score in percent, or RC = D x LC. Which of the following statements about the simple view of reading is based on the formula?
Answer: D
Reading comprehension is a product of word recognition and language comprehension.
The Simple View formula clearly indicates that reading comprehension (RC) is determined by the interaction of decoding skill (D) and language comprehension skills (LC). This means that both components are essential for achieving reading comprehension, making option D the accurate statement.
A) Word recognition alone is sufficient for reading comprehension.
This statement is incorrect because the Simple View formula emphasizes that reading comprehension relies on both decoding and language comprehension. Word recognition alone does not account for the understanding of the text, which is crucial for comprehension.
B) Language comprehension is of higher value than word recognition.
While language comprehension is important, the formula does not assign a higher value to one component over the other. Instead, it illustrates that both skills are equally necessary in producing reading comprehension, therefore this statement is misleading.
C) Word recognition is more important than language comprehension.
Similar to option B, this statement misrepresents the relationship defined in the Simple View formula. The formula indicates that both word recognition and language comprehension contribute equally to reading comprehension, meaning neither is more important than the other.
D) Reading comprehension is a product of word recognition and language comprehension.
This statement accurately reflects the essence of the Simple View formula, which posits that reading comprehension results from the multiplication of decoding skills and language comprehension skills. Both elements are integral to understanding what is read.
Conclusion
Option D is definitively correct as it encapsulates the fundamental principle of the Simple View formula, which asserts that both word recognition and language comprehension are necessary for effective reading comprehension. All other options fail to recognize the interdependent relationship between these two critical components, thereby misrepresenting the concept.