Correct Response: C. The concept of tiered vocabulary is a central component of WIDA's approach to teaching English learners within academic contexts. The words the teacher is planning to target for preteaching and instruction in the scenario are Tier Two academic words that are used within multiple disciplines and refer to abstract concepts or skills. Ongoing direct instruction in Tier Two words and phrases is extremely important for English learners' academic success because such words occur frequently in academic texts, assignments, and assessments across subject areas and are therefore important tools for understanding a variety of academic tasks. A is incorrect because Tier One words are usually concrete, occur with high frequency in informal oral language, and can be clarified quickly without the need for much direct instruction. B is incorrect because there is no evidence that the vocabulary described would have cognates in the first language, and, even if it did, there is no reason why the words would occur more frequently in one language than another. In fact, the words listed occur with high frequency in English academic discourse. D is incorrect because Tier Three words are unique to specific disciplines, whereas the words provided as examples in the scenario are used across the curriculum.
