What is the purpose of a screen reader?

Question

Options

• AIt manages virtual keyboards on touch screen displays.
• BIt reads the parameters of the attached monitors and creates an appropriate X11 configuration.
• CIt displays lines and markers to help people use speed reading techniques.
• DIt manages and displays files that contain e-books.
• EIt reads displayed text to accommodate the needs of blind or visually impaired people.

• A
  9% (2)
• B
  4% (1)
• D
  17% (4)
• E
  70% (16)

Explanation

A screen reader is an assistive technology tool that converts on-screen text and UI elements into synthesized speech or braille output, enabling blind or visually impaired users to navigate and interact with computers - making E the correct answer.

The distractors each describe real but unrelated tools: A describes an on-screen keyboard manager, B describes display auto-configuration tools like xrandr or older XFree86 config scripts, C describes a speed-reading aid (a pacer tool), and D describes an e-book reader application - none of which serve accessibility needs in the way screen readers do.

Memory tip: Think of the name literally - a screen reader reads the screen for you, which only makes sense if you can't see it yourself. The key phrase to anchor is "accommodates the needs of blind or visually impaired people," which maps directly to tools like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver.

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