Which assessment would best measure a student's depth of vocabulary knowledge?

An essay that requires the use of specific vocabulary words is the best assessment to measure a student's depth of vocabulary knowledge. This type of assessment allows students to demonstrate not only their understanding of the meanings of the words but also their ability to apply them within the context of writing. When students are tasked with using certain vocabulary words in an essay, it encourages them to think about nuances, connotations, and appropriate contexts for the words. This application signifies a higher level of comprehension and mastery of vocabulary compared to simply recognizing a definition or spelling a word correctly.

In contrast, a spelling test primarily focuses on a student’s ability to spell words correctly, which does not necessarily indicate understanding of their meanings or uses. A multiple-choice quiz on word definitions, while it assesses recognition of meaning, may not capture how well a student can incorporate those words into their own language use. Lastly, a reading comprehension passage with embedded vocabulary questions assesses understanding of vocabulary in context but falls short of gauging how well a student can actively produce and manipulate vocabulary in their own writing. Thus, the essay format provides the richest insight into a student's vocabulary depth.