What are "high-frequency words"?

High-frequency words are commonly used words that students are encouraged to recognize instantly by sight. This recognition supports fluent reading, allowing learners to focus more on comprehension rather than decoding every word. These words often include not only frequently encountered terms in various texts but also function words like "the," "and," and "is," which are essential for constructing meaningful sentences. By mastering high-frequency words, students can enhance their overall reading skills, facilitating smoother and more confident reading experiences.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of high-frequency words; they either reference infrequently used terms, suggest an advanced level of vocabulary, or focus on specialized terminology rather than foundational literacy skills essential for emerging readers.