Name one of the literacy components evaluated in the MERIT test.

Phonemic awareness is one of the foundational literacy components evaluated in the MERIT test because it involves the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken words. This skill is crucial for the development of later reading abilities, as it lays the groundwork for understanding the relationship between sounds and letters, which is essential for decoding written language. Phonemic awareness helps students develop the skills necessary to blend sounds into words, segment words into individual sounds, and manipulate sounds, which are key practices in phonics instruction. By focusing on this component, the MERIT test aims to assess and enhance students' early literacy skills, ensuring they are prepared for more complex reading tasks as they progress in their education.