Which of the following is NOT listed as one of the pillars of reading?

• A. Syntax
• B. Phonics
• C. Writing
• D. Spelling

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is which components are considered the foundational pillars of reading. The standard list usually includes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—these mark the core processes of decoding text and understanding it. Syntax, on the other hand, is about sentence structure and grammar. While strong syntax helps with reading comprehension, it isn’t typically categorized as one of the pillars in that framework. Phonics is clearly a pillar because decoding sounds and letters is central to learning to read. Writing and spelling are important literacy skills too, but they aren’t the pillars used in that reading framework. So syntax is the element that doesn’t belong on the pillar list.