In the science of reading, which processes are highlighted as interconnected pathways?

• A. Decoding, comprehension, and writing
• B. Speaking, listening, and writing
• C. Memory, attention, and literacy
• D. Phonology only

Answer: (A)

Reading relies on interconnected pathways that support each other: decoding, comprehension, and writing. Decoding turns printed words into sounds and helps you access the meaning of the text; without accurate decoding, meaning can be lost or misread. But decoding alone isn’t enough—comprehension is what you do with those words to grasp ideas, draw inferences, and connect new information to what you already know. Writing ties everything together because producing language in written form requires knowing how words sound, how they are spelled, and how ideas are organized; this practice reinforces sound-letter relationships, expands vocabulary, and deepens understanding, which in turn strengthens both decoding and comprehension. In this integrated view, each process boosts the others: better decoding supports clearer comprehension, and opportunities to write enhance both decoding skills and the ability to think about and articulate meaning.