Why is reading widely beneficial for building vocabulary?

Reading widely is beneficial for building vocabulary because it exposes individuals to a range of words used in various contexts. When readers encounter diverse language—different styles, genres, and topics—they gain insights into how words function within sentences, their connotations, and their usage in real-world scenarios. This broad exposure enables readers to understand nuances and relationships between words, which significantly enhances their overall language comprehension.

For example, when one reads fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or technical texts, each genre presents vocabulary in distinct ways, helping the reader to see how words can vary in meaning based on context. Additionally, encountering unfamiliar words in varied settings encourages readers to infer meaning and enhances retention, making it more likely that they will incorporate new vocabulary into their everyday language.

The other options do not accurately describe the benefits of wide reading. Limiting vocabulary to the most common words contradicts the purpose of expanding one’s lexicon. Confusing the meanings of similar words suggests a negative consequence of reading that isn’t a part of the positive learning process associated with wider reading. Lastly, stating that wide reading is only beneficial for reading speed overlooks one of its core advantages: vocabulary expansion.