Which term describes the collection of words a person recognizes when reading?

The term that best describes the collection of words a person recognizes when reading is "Reading Vocabulary." This refers specifically to the set of words that an individual knows and can identify in written text, which is crucial for fluent reading and comprehension. A robust reading vocabulary enables readers to decode text effectively and understand the meaning of what they are reading.

In contrast, background knowledge encompasses a person’s prior knowledge about a subject, which can aid in understanding the context of what is being read, but it doesn’t specifically refer to the words recognized. Comprehension focuses on the ability to understand and interpret text, which is reliant upon reading vocabulary but not synonymous with it. Automaticity refers to the ability to read words quickly and accurately without needing to slow down for decoding, which also relies on a strong reading vocabulary but describes a different aspect of the reading process. Thus, the concept of reading vocabulary crucially captures the essential skills tied to word recognition necessary for effective reading.