Which description best defines Tier 2 words?

• A. Sophisticated words used by mature language users in speech and writing, found across texts and domains, and often targeted in instruction
• B. Common, basic words used in everyday conversations and that most children know
• C. The words of a language
• D. Knowing or using several languages

Answer: (A)

Tier 2 words are high-utility vocabulary that appears across many texts and domains. They’re more advanced than everyday, common words but not tied to a single subject area. Because they show up in both speech and writing across different subjects, they’re particularly useful for understanding a wide range of texts, so teachers often target them in instruction to boost comprehension and expressive ability. That’s why describing Tier 2 words as sophisticated language used by mature readers, found across texts and domains, and commonly taught makes the best sense. By contrast, everyday basic words belong to Tier 1, and highly specialized, subject-specific terms belong to Tier 3, which is why they don’t fit the broader, cross-disciplinary usefulness that Tier 2 words have.