What is defined as a set of interrelated skills needed to comprehend meaning from texts?

The correct answer is reading, as it encompasses a variety of interrelated skills that are essential for understanding and deriving meaning from texts. Reading involves decoding words, recognizing vocabulary, understanding grammar and sentence structure, and integrating prior knowledge with the information presented in the text. These skills work together to enable readers to interpret and engage with different types of written material effectively.

Phonics specifically refers to the relationship between sounds and their written representations, which is just one component of the broader reading process. Writing, while an important and related skill, focuses more on the expression of ideas through text rather than the comprehension of existing texts. Fluency, on the other hand, relates to the ability to read smoothly and accurately, facilitating comprehension but not encompassing the full set of skills needed for understanding the text itself. Therefore, reading is the comprehensive term that best represents the full array of skills involved in comprehending written content.