Ace the Connecticut FORT 2026 – Read, Understand, Conquer!

A closed syllable is characterized by ending in a consonant, which typically creates a short vowel sound within the syllable. This structure is crucial in phonics as it helps students understand the relationship between the spelling of a word and its sound. For example, in the word "cat," the syllable ends with the consonant "t," which causes the "a" to be pronounced as a short vowel. This understanding is essential for effective reading and writing development, as recognizing closed syllables supports decoding skills. The other options do not accurately capture the defining elements of a closed syllable.