Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

Which type of words do beginning readers struggle to decode the most?

1. CV words such as "an"

2. CVCE words such as "ride"

3. CVC words such as "cat"

4. CCV words such as "sky"

The correct answer is: CVCE words such as "ride"

Beginning readers typically find CVCE (consonant-vowel-consonant-silent 'e') words such as "ride" more challenging to decode compared to other word types. This difficulty arises primarily because CVCE words introduce additional complexity with the silent 'e' at the end. The silent 'e' changes the pronunciation of the preceding vowel, signaling to the reader that the vowel should be pronounced with its long sound. For example, in the word "ride," the ‘i’ is pronounced as a long vowel sound, which can be confusing for early learners who are still mastering the basics of phonetic decoding. Additionally, CVCE words require children not only to recognize the individual sounds within the word but also to understand the implications of the silent 'e’ on the vowel sound. This added layer of understanding means that beginning readers must apply more advanced phonics skills than those needed for simpler word structures. CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) and CV (consonant-vowel) words generally involve more straightforward phonetic sounds without the complexity of silent letters or changed vowel sounds, making them easier for young readers to decode. CCV (consonant-consonant-vowel) words can also present challenges but often