Which activity would challenge advanced students in phonological awareness according to their ability level?

Focusing on initial sound deletion exercises as the activity that would challenge advanced students in phonological awareness is particularly appropriate because this task requires a higher level of cognitive engagement compared to the other options. Advanced students typically have already mastered basic phonological skills, such as recognizing and producing syllables or playing simple rhyming games.

Initial sound deletion involves the ability to manipulate sounds within words, which requires not only phonemic awareness but also an understanding of how sounds combine to form words. For example, if a student is asked to say "sand" without the initial sound /s/, they must recognize that the resulting sound is "and." This task goes beyond mere recognition or repetition, pushing students to analyze and deconstruct words at a phonemic level.

In contrast, activities such as repetition of syllables, counting words, or engaging in rhyming games do not demand the same level of skill in sound manipulation. These tasks are foundational and can be performed successfully by students with less advanced understanding of phonological structures. Thus, initial sound deletion serves as a rigorous challenge suitable for those who are already proficient in basic phonemic and phonological awareness skills.