When reading, how do our eyes typically process words?

The correct answer highlights that during reading, our eyes often process words letter by letter, especially when decoding unfamiliar or complex words. This letter-by-letter processing is fundamental to understanding the phonetic structure of words and ensures accurate recognition and pronunciation. It plays a crucial role in the initial stages of literacy development when individuals are still learning to connect sounds with their corresponding letters.

While there are instances where readers might glance at entire phrases or sentences to gain meaning, particularly in fluent reading, the foundational process often involves recognizing individual letters and sounds. This method ultimately contributes to developing fluency and comprehension over time.

In contrast, the other options propose different methods that do not accurately represent the typical reading process. For example, reading entire sentences at once may imply a level of fluency that typically develops after mastering the skills of letter recognition. Skipping all vowels would result in significant loss of meaning and coherence, making comprehension difficult. Lastly, while context plays a role in understanding and interpreting text, the fundamental eye movement and processing of words start at the level of letters and sounds.