Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

In a clinical evaluation, which type of aphasia is characterized by fluent speech and good comprehension, but poor repetition?

1. Broca's aphasia

2. Wernicke's aphasia

3. Conduction aphasia

4. Global aphasia

The correct answer is: Conduction aphasia

The type of aphasia characterized by fluent speech and good comprehension, but poor repetition is conduction aphasia. Individuals with conduction aphasia typically struggle with repeating phrases or sentences accurately despite being able to produce fluent speech and understand spoken language well. This condition arises from damage to the arcuate fasciculus, a connection between the language comprehension and production areas of the brain, which inhibits the ability to repeat information, while still allowing for relatively fluent speech and good comprehension abilities. This distinction makes it clear why conduction aphasia is the correct choice in this context. In contrast, Broca's aphasia is marked by non-fluent speech and poor production but usually has relatively preserved comprehension. Wernicke's aphasia involves fluent but nonsensical speech and poor comprehension skills, and global aphasia is characterized by profound deficits across all areas of language. Understanding these distinctions clarifies the defining features of conduction aphasia.