Final answer:
Low-frequency words specialized to a particular field of study are known as Domain-specific words. The correct answer is option d.
Step-by-step explanation:
Low-frequency words that pertain to a specific area of study would be considered as D. Domain-specific words. These are terms used within certain domains or fields of study, such as medical jargon for healthcare professionals or legal terminology for lawyers.
Unlike general academic words which are likely to appear across multiple disciplines (Tier 2 words), domain-specific words are critical for understanding content within a specific field, and they often require explicit instruction. In contrast, Tier 1 words are basic vocabulary that most people learn in their everyday language acquisition and do not typically require direct instruction for students to grasp their meanings.
In teaching vocabulary, it's crucial to recognize which words fall into which category so that the appropriate teaching strategy can be applied. For domain-specific vocabulary, students might engage in activities that include using the term in context-specific sentences or applying the term in practical scenarios pertinent to the field of study. This approach helps to cement their understanding of the term within its proper context.