Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

What are semantic errors in reading?

1. Errors related to text structure

2. Meaning-related errors in comprehension

3. Errors from lack of fluency

4. Errors due to mispronunciation

The correct answer is: Meaning-related errors in comprehension

Semantic errors in reading involve mistakes that stem from misunderstanding or misinterpreting the meanings of words or phrases within the text. These errors can occur when a reader substitutes a word with a similar-looking or sounding word but which conveys a different meaning, leading to comprehension issues. For instance, if a reader encounters the word "bank" in a sentence about a financial institution but misinterprets it as "bank" meaning the side of a river, that would constitute a semantic error. This type of error emphasizes the importance of vocabulary knowledge and contextual understanding in reading comprehension. It is not simply about mispronouncing words, which would fall under pronunciation issues, nor does it pertain to the structural organization of the text or the fluency with which it is read. Instead, semantic errors highlight the reader’s struggle with grasping the intended message conveyed in the text, focusing squarely on the meaning behind the language used.