Application of Reading Skills and Knowledge for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide

Practice problems for this study guide can be found at:

Reading for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Practice Problems

The last 12 questions on the reading section of the ParaPro Assessment will test your ability to apply reading skills and knowledge to the classroom. That may mean, for example, that you will be asked to show how you would aid students in their reading comprehension. You may also be asked to choose the best method for classroom instruction in your role as a paraprofessional, such as demonstrating how you would help students improve their ability to decipher the meanings of words.

Reading Application questions on the ParaPro Assessment test both the foundations of reading and the tools of the reading process. The ability to break words apart to decipher their meaning is an example of a foundation of reading. Reading strategies like skimming and asking questions are both examples of the tools of the reading process. The following review section includes all of the major elements of both the foundations of reading and the tools of the reading process.

Foundations of Reading

The foundations of reading questions on the reading section of the ParaPro Assessment assess the test taker's ability to help students with the following skills:

• alphabetize words
• recognize antonyms, homonyms, and synonyms
• use context clues to determine the meaning of a word or phrase
• recognize the parts of a word, such as its prefix, suffix, or root
• identify the sounds that can be used to construct words

For example, the following question shows how the ParaPro Assessment may test your ability to alphabetize words.

1. Four students work together in a reading group. Each student's name begins with the letter D. Which of the following shows the names in alphabetical order?
   1. Dina, Devon, Deanna, Dave
   2. Dave, Devon, Deanna, Dina
   3. Dave, Deanna, Dina, Devon
   4. Dave, Deanna, Devon, Dina

To solve this problem, you need to order the names alphabetically. The first letter of each name is D, so you need to look at the second letters of each name. The second letter of Dave is A, so it should come first. The second letters of Deanna and Devon are E and the second letter of Dina is I. So Dina should go last. To order Deanna and Devon, you need to look at the third letter. The third letter of Deanna is A and the third letter of Devon is V, so Deanna should come before Devon. The proper order should be Dave, Deanna, Devon, Dina—which is answer choice d.