Which skill involves identifying the individual sounds in a spoken word, such as /k/ /a/ /t/ in cat?

Which skill involves identifying the individual sounds in a spoken word, such as /k/ /a/ /t/ in cat?

• A. Phonemic Awareness
• B. Phoneme Segmentation
• C. Phonological Awareness
• D. Rhyme Awareness

Answer: (B)

Identifying each sound in a spoken word is phoneme segmentation. This is a specific skill within phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual phonemes. In the word cat, you hear three distinct phonemes: /k/ /a/ /t/. Segmenting means you can isolate and pronounce those sounds in order. Phonological awareness covers larger sound units like syllables and rhymes, and rhyme awareness focuses on whether words rhyme. So the act of breaking cat into its sounds corresponds to phoneme segmentation.

Identifying each sound in a spoken word is phoneme segmentation. This is a specific skill within phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual phonemes. In the word cat, you hear three distinct phonemes: /k/ /a/ /t/. Segmenting means you can isolate and pronounce those sounds in order. Phonological awareness covers larger sound units like syllables and rhymes, and rhyme awareness focuses on whether words rhyme. So the act of breaking cat into its sounds corresponds to phoneme segmentation.