Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

What is a defining characteristic of R-controlled vowels?

1. They always sound like short vowels

2. They can be either long or short vowels

3. They are pronounced without airflow

4. They only appear in the final syllable

The correct answer is: They can be either long or short vowels

R-controlled vowels are characterized by the way the presence of the letter 'r' alters the sound of the vowel that comes before it. When a vowel is followed by 'r', it does not follow the typical rules of vowel pronunciation, as the 'r' influences the sound, making it distinct from regular short or long vowel sounds. The correct answer highlights that R-controlled vowels can articulate as either long or short vowels, depending on the vowel and the context of its use. For example, in the words "car" and "her," the 'a' and 'e' behave differently due to the 'r' that follows them, demonstrating the unique qualities of R-controlled vowels. Other options focus on specific attributes that do not accurately capture the defining nature of R-controlled vowels. For example, some vowels may sound more like short vowels, but this is not universally true for all R-controlled vowels. Additionally, R-controlled vowels can appear in various syllabic positions, not just the final syllable, and they are produced with airflow; the influence of 'r' is more about sound modification rather than airflow restriction. Thus, the ability of R-controlled vowels to take on either long or short sounds, dependent on their specific context, is