________ refers to the words we must know to communicate effectively.

• A. Vocabulary
• B. Fluency
• C. Comprehension
• D. Syntax

Answer: (A)

Vocabulary is the collection of words you know and can use to express yourself and understand others. It’s the building block that lets you choose precise terms, convey meaning, and grasp what you read or hear. When a statement talks about the words needed to communicate effectively, vocabulary is the best fit because having a strong working vocabulary directly affects how clearly you can express ideas and interpret others’ messages. Fluency relates to how smoothly you speak or read, often involving pace and ease, but doesn’t specify the actual words you know. Comprehension is about understanding meaning, not the set of words you know. Syntax concerns how words are arranged into sentences, important for grammar but not for the word bank itself. So the words we must know to communicate effectively are captured by vocabulary.