What is the primary importance of reading fluency?

The primary importance of reading fluency lies in its role as a bridge between word recognition and comprehension. When students are fluent readers, they can quickly and accurately recognize words, which allows them to focus their cognitive resources on understanding the meaning of the text rather than on decoding individual words. This fluidity in reading promotes better engagement with the material and aids in the retention and comprehension of information.

While enhancing pronunciation skills and vocabulary development are important components of reading, they are not the primary focus of reading fluency. Moreover, reading at a slower pace might actually impede fluency, as true fluency emphasizes the ability to read smoothly and with appropriate speed. Thus, option B accurately captures the vital function of reading fluency in the reading process.