North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test 2025 - Free Reading Practice Questions and Study Tips.

The words "train," "brain," and "spring" all feature consonant blends, which are combinations of two or more consonants that are pronounced together while keeping their individual sounds. In "train," the initial blend is the combination of the consonants "tr," and in "brain," it is "br." Additionally, "spring" includes the blend "spr." These blends start the words with a strong sound that blends the two consonants into a single syllable while allowing each consonant to be heard distinctly. Recognizing these blends is essential for developing phonemic awareness and decoding skills in reading.