NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

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What term refers to the symbol used to represent phonemes?

Grapheme
Phoneme
Graph
Syntax

The correct answer is: Grapheme

The term that refers to the symbol used to represent phonemes is "grapheme." A grapheme is essentially a written representation of a phoneme, which is the smallest unit of sound in a language. For example, in the English language, the letter "b" represents the phoneme /b/. Understanding graphemes is essential in phonics instruction, as it helps learners make connections between spoken sounds and their written counterparts. This knowledge is foundational for developing reading and writing skills in learners, especially for those learning English as a second language. Phoneme, on the other hand, denotes the actual sound itself, not its written form. Graph generally refers to a visual representation of data or information rather than a connection to phonetics. Syntax pertains to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences, which is related to grammar but not directly to phonetic representation. Therefore, grapheme is the precise term that describes the written symbols representing phonemes.