In effective reading, what category involves understanding multiple meanings of words?

Understanding multiple meanings of words falls under the category of vocabulary. In effective reading, vocabulary encompasses not only the knowledge of word meanings but also the ability to recognize that many words can have more than one interpretation based on context. For example, the word "bat" can refer to a flying mammal or a piece of sports equipment used in baseball. Developing a robust vocabulary helps students grasp nuances in language and improves their overall comprehension.

Fluency involves reading smoothly and at an appropriate pace but doesn't directly relate to the understanding of word meanings. Phonemic awareness focuses on the sounds in spoken language and is essential for developing reading skills but does not encompass the meanings of words. Comprehension refers to the ability to understand and interpret text, which is greatly enhanced by a rich vocabulary, but it is not specifically centered on the exploration of multiple meanings of vocabulary words. Thus, vocabulary is the correct answer as it directly relates to understanding the various meanings of words.