Final answer:
The correct term for words that are recognized instantly by sight is 'sight words', which is option a). Sight words are key to reading fluency and comprehension, and are not necessarily phonetically regular.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sight word is any word that is recognized instantly, by sight, whether it is spelled regularly or irregularly. The correct option for the blank space in the question is a) Sight word. Sight words are important in the English language because they often represent words that do not follow the standard rules of phonics or are frequently encountered in text.
For instance, the word 'once' from the given Word Squares is a sight word that does not conform to regular phonetic rules. In contrast, a phonics word is one that can be decoded using the relationship between sounds and their spelling. Cognate words are those that share a similar meaning, spelling, and pronunciation between two languages. A consonant-vowel word would refer to a word composed of a consonant followed by a vowel, which does not directly relate to the concept of sight words.
Understanding sight words is crucial in developing reading fluency and comprehension among students, which is why their recognition is often emphasized in early literacy education. By being able to instantly recognize sight words, students can focus on decoding more complex words that require phonetic strategies.