Which of the following describes the fluency aspect of reading?

Fluency in reading primarily refers to the ability to read smoothly and accurately, which encompasses both the speed at which words are read and the correctness of those readings. This aspect of reading is essential because fluent readers can focus their cognitive resources on comprehension and understanding of the text instead of on decoding words. When readers can read quickly and without errors, they are more likely to grasp the overall meaning and nuances of the material. This makes option A the most accurate description of fluency in reading, as it highlights both the speed and precision required for effective reading.

Other choices reference different components of reading skills; context clues pertain more to comprehension strategies, while identifying themes and main ideas addresses higher-level processing and interpretation of texts. Engaging in critical thinking is also a key aspect of comprehension but goes beyond the basic fluency required for proficient reading.