California Teacher Credentialing Examination (CSET) Practice Test 2026 - Free CSET Practice Questions and Study Guide

Children typically combine onsets and rimes to make syllables and combine sounds, which is a fundamental aspect of phonological awareness. The onset refers to the initial consonant sound or sounds of a syllable, while the rime consists of the vowel and everything that follows it within the syllable. For example, in the word "cat," "c" is the onset and "at" is the rime. By recognizing and manipulating these elements, children can develop their ability to sound out words, which is an essential skill for reading development.

This skill allows them to blend sounds together, enhancing their phonemic awareness and contributing to their overall literacy skills. Understanding how to break down and combine onsets and rimes helps in building more complex words and aids in reading fluency and comprehension at later stages. Other options such as forming new morphemes or creating meaningful sentences involve more advanced language skills, while decoding complex texts refers to reading strategies that come after foundational sound blending has been mastered.