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

Which developmental stage precedes verbal communication in children?

1. Pre-reading stage

2. Pre-speech stage

3. Speech production stage

4. Language comprehension stage

The correct answer is: Pre-speech stage

The pre-speech stage is the correct response because it refers to the period when children are developing the foundational skills necessary for verbal communication, before they start producing recognizable words or phrases. During this stage, infants engage in non-verbal communication and begin to understand the sounds, rhythms, and patterns of language. They may use gestures, facial expressions, and vocalizations to express their needs and emotions, all of which lay the groundwork for later speech development. In contrast, the other stages, such as the pre-reading stage, language comprehension stage, and speech production stage, focus on aspects of language that come after the initial development of communication skills or are part of the ongoing language learning process. The pre-reading stage involves recognizing letters and sounds that prepare children for reading, while the language comprehension stage includes understanding spoken language. Lastly, the speech production stage marks when children begin to produce their first words, which occurs after the pre-speech stage.