What is a miscue in reading?

• A. An error where the reader substitutes a word for another.
• B. A correct reading of the text.
• C. A type of punctuation error.
• D. An instance of memorized recitation.

Answer: (A)

A miscue in reading is an error where the reader substitutes a word for another. When you read aloud and say a different word than what’s printed, you’re showing a miscue. This happens because the reader’s decoding, vocabulary, and expectations influence what they think should come next, which can subtly or significantly change the meaning of the sentence. A correct reading, by contrast, matches the text exactly. Punctuation errors involve marks and pauses, not word choice, and memorized recitation means repeating text from memory rather than reading it fresh, which isn’t a miscue. Substituting a word for another best captures what a miscue is.