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Primary English · Year 5Chapter 3 · The Year 5-6 word list, silent letters and the dictionary
Year 5 · Chapter 3

The Year 5-6 word list, silent letters and the dictionary

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Spell the words in the first half of the Year 5-6 list
  • Spell the words in the second half of the Year 5-6 list
  • Spot silent letters and remember them in words
  • Put words in alphabetical order and use guide words
  • Use a dictionary to check spelling and meaning
  • Use a thesaurus to find words that mean the same, and check the choice

You should already know

  • Alphabetical order and dictionaries (Year 4, Chapter 2)
  • Prefixes and suffixes, and checking spelling (Chapters 1 and 2 of this book)

Where this leads

  • Reading fiction: summarising and comparing (Chapter 8 of this book)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 5. Content: Spell the first half of the Year 5-6 word list, in list order (WL-Y5a), Spell the second half of the Year 5-6 word list, in list order (WL-Y5b), Know that some letters are silent, such as the b in doubt and the k in knight (SP-Y5g), Use the first two or three letters to find a word in a dictionary (WT5), Use a dictionary and thesaurus to check the spelling and meaning of words (WT-Y5).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FPut these words in alphabetical order: tree, apple, moon.
2
FAdd the prefix dis- to the word like. Write the new word.
3
FWrite the word that means to remove the frost from a freezer, using the prefix de-.
4
FAdd the suffix -ation to the verb explain. Write the new word.
5
FWhich letter does the word hour start with, and does it sound at the start?
3.1

The Year 5-6 word list, first half

Year 5
Spell the first half of the Year 5-6 word list, in list order (WL-Y5a)
Video lesson: The Year 5-6 word list, first halfComing soon
Story. Priya is making a poster for the school fair. She wants every word to be spelled correctly, so she checks each word against the Year 5-6 list. Some words have double letters, and some have tricky endings.

Key pattern

The Year 5-6 list has about a hundred words. Many of them are long and have double letters or unusual endings.

Say each word in parts, then check every part: ac-com-mo-date has two c and two m.

Learn the words with a tricky part in mind, such as ie in achieve and ery in cemetery.

Key ideas

  • Some list words have double letters: accommodate, committee, communicate.
  • Some have an unusual vowel pattern: achieve has ie, and cemetery has e in two places.
  • The word ends can be tricky: -ary, -ent, -ance, -ence, -ious and -ible.
  • Learn the spelling by saying the word in parts and writing it out again.
Worked example 3.1.1
Write the word that means to have room for people or things, with two c and two m.

Method. Split the word into parts and check each part.

  1. Say the word in parts. ac-com-mo-date.
    ac-com-mo-date
  2. Check the double letters. There are two cs in the first part and two ms in the middle.
    cc and mm
  3. Write the answer.
    accommodate

Check. Accommodate has two cs and two ms. ✓

Worked example 3.1.2
Which is spelled correctly: achieve or acheive?

Method. Look at the i and e in the middle of the word.

  1. Find the tricky part. The sound at the end is ee, spelled ieve.
    ieve
  2. Compare the spellings. The i comes before e in this word, after the letters ch.
    achieve
  3. Write the answer.
    achieve

Check. Achieve is correct. ✓

Watch out. The rule "i before e, except after c" does not apply here. Learn achieve as a word to remember.

Worked example 3.1.3
Write the word that means a place where people are buried, with the letters e-m-e-t-e-r-y.

Method. Say it slowly and write every letter.

  1. Say it in parts. ce-me-te-ry.
    ce-me-te-ry
  2. Check the vowels. There is an e in the first part, then e in the second part and the last part.
    cemetery
  3. Write the answer.
    cemetery

Check. Cemetery has e in three places. ✓

Exercise 3A  Practice: first half of the list

1
FI will ____ you to the shop after school. Write the missing word.
2
FThe label is ____ to the box with string. Write the missing word.
3
FThe old bike was a real ____, so I bought it for one pound. Write the missing word.
4
FThe school ____ met on Tuesday to talk about the new rules. Write the missing word.
5
FWe must ____ our plans clearly so everyone knows them. Write the missing word.
6
FMina won first prize in the art ____ at the library. Write the missing word.
7
FWhich spelling is correct: acommodate or accommodate? Write the correct spelling.
8
FWhich spelling is correct: acheive or achieve? Write the correct spelling.
9
FWhich spelling is correct: cemetary or cemetery? Write the correct spelling.
10
PSWhich spelling is correct: enviroment or environment? Write the correct spelling.
11
PSWhich spelling is correct: goverment or government? Write the correct spelling.
12
RChoose one list word from the first half that has double letters, and write it. Say which letters are doubled.
3.2

The Year 5-6 word list, second half

Year 5
Spell the second half of the Year 5-6 word list, in list order (WL-Y5b)
Video lesson: The Year 5-6 word list, second halfComing soon
Story. Omar is writing a review of his school trip to the museum. He wants to use words such as immediately and temperature. He reads the list again and notices that some words are long, with a silent part and an unusual ending.

Key pattern

Some words in the second half of the list end in -ly, -ous or -ise, and some have -ary or -ure.

Check the word by saying it in parts: tem-per-a-ture, sec-re-tar-y.

Some words have a sound that is not spelled as you might expect: queue, yacht.

Key ideas

  • Words ending in -ary or -ery are easy to mix up: secretary, cemetery.
  • The ending -ure is in temperature and the ending -ise is in recognise.
  • Words with a sh sound can be spelled sh, ti or ci: physical, sufficient, ancient.
  • Put words in alphabetical order by comparing the first letters, then the second letters.
Worked example 3.2.1
Write the word that means at once, without any delay, using the list.

Method. Say the word in parts.

  1. Say it in parts. im-me-di-ate-ly.
    im-me-di-ate-ly
  2. Check the double letter. The double letter is mm, at the start.
    immediately
  3. Write the answer.
    immediately

Check. Immediately has mm and ends in -ly. ✓

Worked example 3.2.2
Put these words in alphabetical order: yacht, vehicle, sincere.

Method. Compare the first letters.

  1. Look at the first letters. s comes before v, and v comes before y.
    s, v, y
  2. Write the order. sincere, vehicle, yacht.
    sincere, vehicle, yacht
  3. Write the answer.
    sincere, vehicle, yacht

Check. The first letters s, v and y are in order. ✓

Worked example 3.2.3
Which is spelled correctly: necessary or neccessary?

Method. Say the word in parts and count the letters.

  1. Say it in parts. ne-ces-sa-ry.
    ne-ces-sa-ry
  2. Check the letters. One c and two s letters: the second part is ces.
    necessary
  3. Write the answer.
    necessary

Check. Necessary has one c and two s. ✓

Exercise 3B  Practice: second half of the list

1
FPlease come ____ when you hear the bell. Write the missing word.
2
FPlease do not ____ when I am speaking. Write the missing word.
3
FWe learn a new ____ in Year 5 at school. Write the missing word.
4
FMy ____ has a black cat with a white tail. Write the missing word.
5
FThe ____ outside is very warm for October. Write the missing word.
6
FSam gave a ____ check of the room before he left. Write the missing word.
7
FWhich spelling is correct: neccessary or necessary? Write the correct spelling.
8
FWhich spelling is correct: reccommend or recommend? Write the correct spelling.
9
FWhich spelling is correct: resturant or restaurant? Write the correct spelling.
10
PSPut these words in alphabetical order: yacht, vehicle, sincere, rhythm.
11
PSPut these words in alphabetical order: twelfth, thorough, system, symbol.
12
RAli says that queue is spelled with the sounds k-yoo. Explain why it has five letters, and say what the last two letters are.
3.3

Silent letters

Year 5
Know that some letters are silent, such as the b in doubt and the k in knight (SP-Y5g)
Video lesson: Silent lettersComing soon
Story. Leo is learning a poem for assembly. The poem has the words knight, doubt and island. He says each word aloud and notices that some letters are written but not said. He makes a list of silent letters to learn.

Key pattern

Some words have a silent letter: a letter that is written but not said. You must remember it.

Silent b: doubt, debt. Silent k: knight, knee. Silent w: wrap, write.

Silent h: hour, honest. Silent t: castle, listen, whistle, often.

Silent s: island. Silent g: gnaw, sign. Silent c: scissors.

Key ideas

  • A silent letter is written in the word but is not said.
  • Silent letters are often found at the start of a word: kn, wr, gn.
  • Learn the silent letter as part of the spelling of each word.
  • Some silent letters are found in other words from the same family: sign and signature.
Worked example 3.3.1
Which letter is silent in the word knight?

Method. Say the word and listen for each sound.

  1. Say the word. We say knight as nite.
    nite
  2. Find the letter that is not said. The k is written but not said.
    k
  3. Write the answer.
    k

Check. The k is silent in knight. ✓

Worked example 3.3.2
Which letter is silent in the word doubt?

Method. Say the word and listen.

  1. Say the word. We say doubt as dout.
    dout
  2. Find the silent letter. The b is written but not said.
    b
  3. Write the answer.
    b

Check. The b is silent in doubt. ✓

Worked example 3.3.3
Which letter is silent in the word island?

Method. Say the word in two parts.

  1. Say the word in parts. i-land.
    i-land
  2. Find the silent letter. The s is written but not said.
    s
  3. Write the answer.
    s

Check. The s is silent in island. ✓

Exercise 3C  Practice: silent letters

1
FWhich letter is silent in doubt?
2
FWhich letter is silent in knee?
3
FWhich letter is silent in wrap?
4
FWhich letter is silent in hour?
5
FWhich letter is silent in castle?
6
FWhich letter is silent in listen?
7
FWhich letter is silent in gnaw?
8
FWhich letter is silent in scissors?
9
FWhich letter is silent in island?
10
PSWhich two letters are silent in thistle, if you say it as thi-sl?
11
RAli says sword has no silent letter. Is he right? Explain your answer.
12
PSWrite one word with a silent letter that starts with the letters kn, and name the silent letter.
13
RWrite one word from the list that has a silent letter, and name the letter.
3.4

Using a dictionary: the first letters and guide words

Year 5
Use the first two or three letters to find a word in a dictionary (WT5)
Video lesson: Using a dictionary: the first letters and guide wordsComing soon
Story. Amira is checking the spelling of words for her project. She uses a dictionary, but she cannot find the word straight away. She learns to look at the first two or three letters, and then to use the guide words at the top of each page.

Key pattern

A dictionary is in alphabetical order. Use the first two or three letters to find the right part of the book.

Each page has two guide words at the top. The first is the first word on the page; the second is the last.

A word is on the page if it comes between the two guide words in alphabetical order.

Key ideas

  • Use the first letter to find the right section, then the second letter, then the third.
  • Guide words show the first and last words on a page.
  • If a word is between the guide words, it is on that page.
  • If you are not sure of the spelling, try a different first letter, such as the sound you can hear.
Worked example 3.4.1
Put these three words in the order you would find them in a dictionary: cemetery, committee, community.

Method. Compare the letters one at a time.

  1. Compare the first letters. All three start with c.
    c, c, c
  2. Compare the second letters. cemetery has e; committee and community have o. e comes before o.
    cemetery first
  3. Compare committee and community. The third letters are m and m; the fourth letters are m and m; then i and u: i comes first.
    committee, then community
  4. Write the answer.
    cemetery, committee, community

Check. The order is cemetery, committee, community. ✓

Worked example 3.4.2
A dictionary page has the guide words equip and exaggerate. Would excellent be on this page? Write Yes or No.

Method. Compare the letters of excellent with both guide words.

  1. Compare with equip. Excellent comes after equip, because e-x comes after e-q.
    after equip
  2. Compare with exaggerate. Both start with ex. The third letters are c and a. The a in exaggerate comes first, so excellent comes after exaggerate.
    after exaggerate
  3. Write the answer.
    No

Check. Excellent comes after exaggerate, so it is not on this page. ✓

Worked example 3.4.3
Which word would be found first in a dictionary: forty or foreign?

Method. Compare the letters from the start.

  1. Compare the first two letters. Both start with fo.
    fo, fo
  2. Compare the third letters. foreign has e; forty has r. e comes before r.
    foreign first
  3. Write the answer.
    foreign

Check. Foreign comes before forty. ✓

Exercise 3D  Practice: guide words

1
FA dictionary page has the guide words dictionary and disastrous. Would dictionary be on this page? Write Yes or No.
2
FA dictionary page has the guide words foreign and frequently. Would forty be on this page? Write Yes or No.
3
FA dictionary page has the guide words guarantee and hindrance. Would harass be on this page? Write Yes or No.
4
FA dictionary page has the guide words hindrance and interfere. Would identity be on this page? Write Yes or No.
5
FA dictionary page has the guide words lightning and marvellous. Would language be on this page? Write Yes or No.
6
FA dictionary page has the guide words mischievous and nuisance. Would muscle be on this page? Write Yes or No.
7
PSA dictionary page has the guide words variety and yacht. Would vehicle be on this page? Write Yes or No.
8
PSA dictionary page has the guide words accompany and appreciate. Would ancient be on this page? Write Yes or No.
9
RIn a dictionary, which comes first: sincere or sincerely?
10
PSExplain how you would find the word thorough in a dictionary, using the first letters.
3.5

Checking spelling and meaning in a dictionary and a thesaurus

Year 5
Use a dictionary and thesaurus to check the spelling and meaning of words (WT-Y5)
Video lesson: Checking spelling and meaning in a dictionary and a thesaurusComing soon
Story. Joe is writing a story about a school sports day. He writes the word exagerate and is not sure it is right. He also wants a different word for big. He uses a dictionary to check the spelling and a thesaurus to find other words that mean the same.

Key pattern

A dictionary gives the spelling and the meaning of a word, and often shows how to say it.

A thesaurus gives words with a similar meaning, called synonyms. It does not check spelling.

Choose a synonym by checking its meaning in a dictionary, because some synonyms are used in a different way.

Key ideas

  • A dictionary checks spelling and meaning.
  • A thesaurus gives synonyms, or words with a similar meaning.
  • Check the meaning of a synonym before you use it in your writing.
  • Use the word class (noun, verb, adjective) to choose a word of the right type.
Worked example 3.5.1
Joe writes exagerate. Which is the correct spelling?

Method. Use a dictionary and look up the first letters.

  1. Look up the word. The dictionary entry is under ex, then exa.
    exaggerate
  2. Check the double letter. The gg is written as two g letters in the middle.
    exaggerate
  3. Write the answer.
    exaggerate

Check. The correct spelling is exaggerate. ✓

Worked example 3.5.2
Find a word that means the same as big, and is not large or huge.

Method. Use a thesaurus and check the meaning in a dictionary.

  1. Look up big in a thesaurus. Big has synonyms such as large, huge, enormous.
    large, huge, enormous
  2. Choose a word that fits. Enormous means very big.
    enormous
  3. Write the answer.
    enormous

Check. Enormous means very big. ✓

Worked example 3.5.3
Which word means almost the same as tiny: huge or small?

Method. A synonym has a similar meaning.

  1. Read the meaning of tiny. Tiny means very small.
    very small
  2. Compare the two words. Small means not big, which is the same idea. Huge means very big, which is the opposite.
    small
  3. Write the answer.
    small

Check. Small is the synonym of tiny. ✓

Exercise 3E  Practice: dictionary and thesaurus

1
FWhich word means almost the same as quick: slow, rapid or heavy?
2
FWhich word means almost the same as brave: afraid, bold or weak?
3
FWhich word means almost the same as shout: whisper, yell or sleep?
4
PSMia thinks definate is correct. Write the correct spelling, using a dictionary.
5
PSWrite the correct spelling of the list word that means very unpleasant or bad: disastrous or disasterous?
6
RAli says a thesaurus is the best book to check spelling. Is he right? Explain.
7
RJoe chooses enormous from the thesaurus for big. Name one thing he should check before he uses it.
8
RExplain why a dictionary entry can help you choose the right synonym.
9
PSWrite one synonym for happy from a thesaurus and check that it fits the sentence: The class was ____ after the trip.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
The Year 5-6 word listLearn the words in two halves; say each one in parts and check the tricky letters.
Silent lettersA silent letter is written but not said, such as b in doubt, k in knight and h in hour.
Alphabetical orderCompare the first letters, then the second letters, and so on.
Guide wordsA word is on a page if it comes between the two guide words.
DictionaryGives the spelling and the meaning of a word.
ThesaurusGives synonyms, or words with a similar meaning.

Can you…?

  • I can spell words from the first half of the Year 5-6 list
  • I can spell words from the second half of the Year 5-6 list
  • I can find silent letters in words and remember them
  • I can put words in alphabetical order
  • I can use guide words to decide whether a word is on a dictionary page
  • I can use a dictionary and a thesaurus to check spelling and meaning

Key terms

silent letter
a letter that is written in a word but not said
synonym
a word with the same or a similar meaning to another word
thesaurus
a book that lists words with similar meanings
guide words
the first and last words at the top of a dictionary page
alphabetical order
the order of the letters a to z
statutory word list
the list of words that pupils must learn to spell in Years 5 and 6

Exercise 3Z  Check-up

1
Which spelling is correct: acheive or achieve? Write the correct spelling.
2
The school ____ met to plan the summer fair. Write the missing word.
3
The books are sorted into one ____ on the shelf, with all the animal stories together. Write the missing word.
4
Which letter is silent in knight?
5
A dictionary page has the guide words profession and programme. Would pronunciation be on this page? Write Yes or No.
6
A dictionary page has the guide words secretary and soldier. Would shoulder be on this page? Write Yes or No.
7
Put these words in alphabetical order: marvellous, necessary, mischievous, muscle.
8
Write the synonym of enormous that means very large: tiny, huge or narrow?
9
Use a dictionary: which is the correct spelling of the list word that means a person who is paid to write letters for an office, secretary or secratary?
10
Write one list word that has a silent h, or one that has double letters, and say what the tricky part is.

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 3X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich spelling is correct: acommodate or accommodate? Write the correct spelling.[1 mark]
2
FThe local ____ has a park and a library. Write the missing word.[1 mark]
3
FWhich letter is silent in island?[1 mark]
4
PSA dictionary page has the guide words ecology and environment. Would embarrass be on this page? Write Yes or No.[2 marks]
5
PSPut these words in alphabetical order: equip, exaggerate, excellent, existence.[2 marks]
6
PSWrite the synonym of shout that means to call out loudly, using the thesaurus words: whisper, yell or mutter?[2 marks]
7
PSWhich letter is silent in scissors, and why does a dictionary show the word with that letter?[3 marks]
8
PSAli says that queue and queu are both correct. Is he right? Explain, using the dictionary idea.[2 marks]
9
RChoose a word from the second half of the list, and write one sentence with it spelled correctly.[3 marks]
10
RExplain how a thesaurus and a dictionary are different when you use them to choose a word.[3 marks]
← Chapter 2: Prefixes: in-, dis-, de-, re-, auto- and bi-Chapter 4: Relative clauses and adverbials of time, place and cause →

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