Which of the following best demonstrates phonemic awareness in a student?

The ability to identify the individual sounds in words is a core component of phonemic awareness, making the second choice the best illustration of this skill. Phonemic awareness specifically involves the recognition and manipulation of the smallest units of sound, known as phonemes.

In the example provided, when a student identifies the sound /t/ at the end of the word "hat," they are demonstrating their understanding of how specific sounds contribute to word structure. This skill is crucial for developing reading and spelling abilities since it enables students to decode words by breaking them down into their constituent sounds.

Other options illustrate different aspects of literacy but do not capture phonemic awareness as precisely. Recognizing rhyming words involves phonological awareness, which is broader than phonemic awareness. Spelling words correctly shows an application of phonetic knowledge but does not directly demonstrate the ability to identify phonemes. Similarly, combining letters to form a word relates more to grapho-phonemic skills than to the direct manipulation and awareness of individual phonemes in spoken language.