FTCE Reading K-12 Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes an irregular word?

1. A word that follows common phonics rules

2. A word that can be easily decoded

3. A word that cannot be decoded due to unique sounds

4. A word that has a common spelling pattern

The correct answer is: A word that cannot be decoded due to unique sounds

An irregular word is characterized by its inability to conform to standard phonetic rules, making it difficult to decode based on typical sound-letter relationships. These words often possess unique sound combinations or spelling patterns that do not align with the common phonics rules taught to early readers. As a result, they may require memorization instead of phonetic decoding. This definition aligns perfectly with the choice you identified as correct, as it captures the essence of what makes a word irregular in the context of reading and phonics instruction. The other choices refer to concepts of phonetic regularity or predictability, which do not apply to irregular words.