What is the most accurate statement regarding the relationship between reading fluency and comprehension?

The most accurate statement regarding the relationship between reading fluency and comprehension is that automaticity aids comprehension of the text's meaning. Automaticity refers to the ability to read smoothly and effortlessly, allowing readers to focus their cognitive resources on understanding the content rather than on decoding individual words.

When students achieve a high level of reading fluency, characterized by speed, accuracy, and prosody, they can process text more quickly and effectively. This fluency enables them to concentrate on the meaning and ideas presented in the text, thus enhancing their overall comprehension. When students do not have to struggle with word recognition, they are free to engage more deeply with the narrative or argument, making connections, inferring meaning, and drawing conclusions.

The other options present misunderstandings about the relationship between fluency and comprehension. Understanding before reading accurately implies a sequential process that doesn't recognize the interdependent nature of reading skills. The notion that reading rate is more crucial than accuracy and prosody overlooks the fact that all three components are essential for effective reading and understanding. Lastly, stating that prosody is unrelated to comprehension fails to acknowledge that expression and intonation can greatly influence how meaning is interpreted in a text.