Which sentence best defines prosody in reading?

• A. Rate of speaking while reading aloud
• B. Vocabulary knowledge
• C. Expression, intonation, and rhythm
• D. Sound-letter correspondence

Answer: (C)

Prosody in reading is about how the spoken text sounds when you read aloud. It includes expressing the meaning through expression, using intonation to signal questions, statements, or exclamations, and maintaining a natural rhythm that matches punctuation and sentence structure. This combination helps listeners hear the text as intended and makes its meaning clearer.

That’s why the best definition is expression, intonation, and rhythm—it captures all the vocal aspects that show how the text should be voiced. Rate of speaking alone only describes speed and misses how voice rises and falls or where to pause. Vocabulary knowledge relates to word meanings, not how words are spoken. Sound-letter correspondence is about decoding sounds to letters, not about how to add expression during reading.