The response is consistent with adding numerators and denominators as separate whole numbers.
The learner’s own explanation describes the add-across procedure, so this isn’t inferred from the answer alone.
Why it might be wrong
Other explanations
- Applied a remembered rule under time pressure while understanding fraction size.
- Carried over the multiply-across rule from multiplication.
Evidence that would settle it
- Ask whether 2/7 is more or less than 1/3, and how they know.
- One more item with fraction strips available.