What stage of Spelling Development indicates that the speller knows the English orthographic system and its basic rules?

The correct answer highlights the correct stage of spelling development where a speller demonstrates a full understanding of the English orthographic system and its basic rules. In this stage, known as the Correct Stage, individuals can spell most words correctly and apply spelling patterns with greater accuracy. They utilize knowledge of phonetics and the conventions of English spelling, indicating a sophisticated level of orthographic knowledge.

In this stage, spellers not only recognize common spelling rules but also understand exceptions to those rules, which allows them to spell complex words accurately. This indicates that they have moved beyond basic phonetic spelling and are capable of using their understanding of the language's structure effectively in their writing.

The other stages presented do not represent this level of mastery. For instance, the Phonetic Stage involves reliance primarily on phonetic principles without fully grasping all orthographic rules. The Transitional Stage marks a movement towards understanding common spelling patterns but does not yet indicate complete mastery. Meanwhile, the Precommunicative Stage represents early attempts at spelling, where the understanding of writing conventions is very limited. Thus, the Correct Stage stands out as the phase where a speller exhibits confidence and correctness in spelling aligned closely with English orthography.