Silent letters and the statutory word list, part 1
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Name the silent letter in a word, using its spelling pattern
- Learn the first 50 words of the Year 5-6 word list, from their meanings
- Find the double letters in a word, and write them in the right places
- Use a word from the list correctly in a sentence
- Check a spelling in a dictionary, and use the entry to confirm the meaning
You should already know
- Common letter patterns and double letters (Year 4 spelling)
- Spelling from a meaning and from a sentence (Year 4 spelling, and Chapter 1 of this book)
Where this leads
- The statutory word list, words 51 to 100, roots and prefixes (Chapter 4 of this book)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 6. Content: Spell words with silent letters, and say which letter is silent (Y5-6 spelling), Spell words 1 to 50 of the Year 5-6 statutory word list, in list order (Y5-6 spelling), Use the meaning of a word to check its spelling, including its double letters (Y5-6 spelling), Spell words ending in -ary, -ery and -ory, as in dictionary, cemetery and category (Y5-6 spelling), Use a dictionary to check the spelling and meaning of a word from the list (Y5-6 spelling).
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Nouns that end in sh take -es.
- Look at the last letters. Dish ends in sh.dish
- Add -es. Add -es to make the plural.dish + es = dishes
- Write the answer. dishes
Check. dish + es = dishes. ✓
Method. Look for two letters that are the same and next to each other.
- Look at the word. Hammer has two m letters together, in the middle.h a m m e r
- Name the letter. The doubled letter is m.m
- Write the answer. m
Check. hammer has mm. ✓
Method. Use the meaning and the letters to write the word.
- Find the meaning. A book of words and their meanings is a dictionary.dictionary
- Check the letters. The word ends in -ary.dictionary
- Write the answer. dictionary
Check. dictionary has the letters given. ✓
Method. Add the prefix un- to the root word.
- Find the root word. The root word is happy.happy
- Add the prefix. Un- means not, so unhappy means not happy.un + happy = unhappy
- Write the answer. unhappy
Check. un + happy = unhappy. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. A person who does a sport for fun is an amateur.amateur
- Check the ending. The word ends in -eur, so the final r is written.amateur
- Write the answer. amateur
Check. amateur ends in -eur. ✓
Silent letters: written, but not said
A silent letter is written in a word, but it is not said. Many silent letters follow a pattern at the start, middle or end of a word. Learn the pattern, and then learn the word.
Silent letters and their patterns
| Word | Silent letter | Pattern to notice |
|---|---|---|
| knight | k | kn at the start |
| knife | k | kn at the start |
| write | w | wr at the start |
| wrong | w | wr at the start |
| sign | g | gn at the end |
| foreign | g | gn at the end |
| lamb | b | mb at the end |
| climb | b | mb at the end |
| doubt | b | bt in the middle |
| island | s | sl in the middle |
Key ideas
- A silent letter is written but not said.
- Look for the pattern: kn, wr, gn, mb, bt and sl are common silent-letter patterns.
- Learn the spelling of the word, not just the rule.
Method. Look at the pattern at the start of the word.
- Look at the start. The word starts with kn.kn
- Find the silent letter. The k is written before n, but it is not said.k is silent
- Check the word. Knight has the silent k at its start.knight
- Write the answer. k
Check. The silent letter in knight is k. ✓
Method. Look at the pattern at the end of the word.
- Look at the end. The word ends in gn.gn
- Find the silent letter. The g is written, but it is not said in sign.g is silent
- Check the word. Sign has a silent g at the end.sign
- Write the answer. g
Check. The silent letter in sign is g. ✓
Method. Look at the middle of the word.
- Look at the middle. The word has bt in the middle.bt
- Find the silent letter. The b is written, but it is not said in doubt.b is silent
- Check the word. Doubt has the silent b in the middle.doubt
- Write the answer. b
Check. The silent letter in doubt is b. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a silent letter is still written. Do not leave it out, even if you do not say it. Write knife, not nife.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to write a silent-letter word from memory, then check it in a dictionary. Look together at the pattern of the letters, not just the sound of the word.
Exercise 3A Practice: silent letters
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern kn at the start.kn at the start
- Find the silent letter. In knight, the letter k is written but not said.k
- Write the answer. k
Check. The silent letter in knight is k. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern kn at the start.kn at the start
- Find the silent letter. In knife, the letter k is written but not said.k
- Write the answer. k
Check. The silent letter in knife is k. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern wr at the start.wr at the start
- Find the silent letter. In write, the letter w is written but not said.w
- Write the answer. w
Check. The silent letter in write is w. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern wr at the start.wr at the start
- Find the silent letter. In wrong, the letter w is written but not said.w
- Write the answer. w
Check. The silent letter in wrong is w. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern gn at the end.gn at the end
- Find the silent letter. In sign, the letter g is written but not said.g
- Write the answer. g
Check. The silent letter in sign is g. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern gn at the end.gn at the end
- Find the silent letter. In foreign, the letter g is written but not said.g
- Write the answer. g
Check. The silent letter in foreign is g. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern mb at the end.mb at the end
- Find the silent letter. In lamb, the letter b is written but not said.b
- Write the answer. b
Check. The silent letter in lamb is b. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern mb at the end.mb at the end
- Find the silent letter. In climb, the letter b is written but not said.b
- Write the answer. b
Check. The silent letter in climb is b. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern bt in the middle.bt in the middle
- Find the silent letter. In doubt, the letter b is written but not said.b
- Write the answer. b
Check. The silent letter in doubt is b. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern sl in the middle.sl in the middle
- Find the silent letter. In island, the letter s is written but not said.s
- Write the answer. s
Check. The silent letter in island is s. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Use the word silent and the word written.
- Think about the letter. It is written in the spelling.written
- Think about the sound. It is not said when the word is read.not said
- Write the answer. A silent letter is a letter that is written in a word but is not said.
Check. A silent letter is written and not said. ✓
Method. Look for the pattern wr at the start.
- Look at the start. The word starts with wr.wr
- Check the meaning. Wrong means not right.wrong
- Write the answer. wrong
Check. wrong has the silent w. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, and use the pattern wr.
- Find the word that is wrong. Rite is missing the w at the start.rite
- Write the correct word. The correct word is write, with the silent w.write
- Write the answer. I will write a story about the ship.
Check. write has the pattern wr. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then look for the pattern kn.
- Use the meaning. A tool for cutting, with a blade and a handle, is a knife.knife
- Check the pattern. The word starts with kn, and the k is silent.kn
- Write the answer. knife
Check. knife has the silent k. ✓
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern mb at the end.mb at the end
- Find the silent letter. In climb, the letter b is written but not said.b
- Write the answer. b
Check. The silent letter in climb is b. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern sl in the middle.sl in the middle
- Find the silent letter. In island, the letter s is written but not said.s
- Write the answer. s
Check. The silent letter in island is s. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern gn at the end.gn at the end
- Find the silent letter. In foreign, the letter g is written but not said.g
- Write the answer. g
Check. The silent letter in foreign is g. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Use the word to describe people or things from another country.
- Choose the subject. The foreign visitors are the subject.The foreign visitors
- Finish the sentence. Add a verb and an end.enjoyed the tour of the castle
- Write the answer. The foreign visitors enjoyed the tour of the castle.
Check. The sentence spells foreign correctly. ✓
Method. Look at the pattern and the silent letter.
- Look at the pattern. Sign ends in gn.gn
- Find the silent letter. The g is written, but not said.g
- Write the answer. Sign has the pattern gn at its end, and the g is written but not said
Check. The g in sign is silent. ✓
Method. Look at the two letters in mb.
- Look at the pattern. Mb is the pattern at the end of lamb and climb.mb
- Find the silent letter. The b is written but not said.b
- Write the answer. b
Check. The silent letter in mb is b. ✓
Method. Think about what the spelling shows.
- Look at the entry. The entry shows the spelling as written.the full spelling
- Check the letter. The silent letter is written, so it appears in the entry.the silent letter
- Write the answer. It shows the full spelling, so you can see the silent letter that is written.
Check. The dictionary shows the silent letter. ✓
Word list words 1 to 17, from accommodate to conscious
The Year 5-6 word list has 100 words. Here are words 1 to 17. Each word has a meaning that helps you remember its spelling. Many of them have double letters, such as the cc in accommodate. Count the double letters as you write the word.
Words 1 to 17
| No. | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | accommodate | to provide room or a place for someone |
| 2 | accompany | to go with someone |
| 3 | according | as someone has said |
| 4 | achieve | to succeed in doing something |
| 5 | aggressive | ready to attack or argue |
| 6 | amateur | someone who does something for enjoyment, not for pay |
| 7 | ancient | very old, from long ago |
| 8 | apparent | easy to see or understand |
| 9 | appreciate | to be grateful for, or to value |
| 10 | attached | fastened to something, or fond of someone |
| 11 | available | able to be used or obtained |
| 12 | average | typical, or the usual level |
| 13 | awkward | difficult to handle, or embarrassing |
| 14 | bargain | something good value for the money |
| 15 | bruise | a mark on the skin after a knock |
| 16 | category | a group of things that share a feature |
| 17 | cemetery | a place where the dead are buried |
Key ideas
- Learn each word with its meaning.
- Check every double letter, such as cc in accommodate and mm in committee.
- Write the word from memory, then check it against the list.
Method. Use the meaning, then check the double letters.
- Use the meaning. To provide room or a place for someone is accommodate.accommodate
- Check the double letters. Accommodate has cc and mm.cc and mm
- Write the word. Write the letters in order, with both doubles.accommodate
- Write the answer. accommodate
Check. accommodate has the double letters cc and mm. ✓
Method. Check the double letters.
- Say the letters in order. The word has mm, tt and ee.mm, tt, ee
- Compare the two spellings. Comittee has only one m and one t, so it is missing letters.committee
- Write the word. Committee is a group of people chosen to make decisions.committee
- Write the answer. committee
Check. committee has mm, tt and ee. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then write the letters in order.
- Use the meaning. A contest between people or teams is a competition.a contest
- Check the letters. Competition has the ending -tion.competi-tion
- Write the word. Competition is spelt with -tion at the end.competition
- Write the answer. competition
Check. competition ends in -tion. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: accommodate has two cs and two ms, and the words accompany and according also start with ac. Check each one against the list, and do not mix them up.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say each meaning, then to write the word and to underline the double letters in pencil.
Exercise 3B Practice: words 1 to 17
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to provide room or a place for someone.to provide room or a place for someone
- Check the letters. The double letters in accommodate are c and m.accommodate
- Write the answer. accommodate
Check. accommodate has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to go with someone.to go with someone
- Check the letters. The double letter in accompany is c.accompany
- Write the answer. accompany
Check. accompany has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to succeed in doing something.to succeed in doing something
- Check the letters. achieve has no double letters, so check each letter in order.achieve
- Write the answer. achieve
Check. achieve has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: ready to attack or argue.ready to attack or argue
- Check the letters. The double letters in aggressive are g and s.aggressive
- Write the answer. aggressive
Check. aggressive has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: very old, from long ago.very old, from long ago
- Check the letters. ancient has no double letters, so check each letter in order.ancient
- Write the answer. ancient
Check. ancient has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: fastened to something, or fond of someone.fastened to something, or fond of someone
- Check the letters. The double letter in attached is t.attached
- Write the answer. attached
Check. attached has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: something good value for the money.something good value for the money
- Check the letters. bargain has no double letters, so check each letter in order.bargain
- Write the answer. bargain
Check. bargain has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: a group of things that share a feature.a group of things that share a feature
- Check the letters. category has no double letters, so check each letter in order.category
- Write the answer. category
Check. category has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Accompany has cc, so the spelling needs two cs.accompany fits
- Reject the other choices. acompany has a letter in the wrong place or missing.acompany do not fit
- Write the answer. accompany
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Committee has mm, tt and ee.committee fits
- Reject the other choices. comittee has a letter in the wrong place or missing.comittee do not fit
- Write the answer. committee
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Look for two of the same letter next to each other.
- Look at the word. Accommodate has cc in the middle and mm later.a c c o m m o d a t e
- Name the letters. The doubled letters are c and m.c and m
- Write the answer. c and m
Check. The doubled letters are c and m. ✓
Method. Use the word to say that one person goes with another.
- Choose the subject. The teacher is the subject.The teacher
- Add the verb. Accompany means to go with someone.will accompany the children
- Write the answer. The teacher will accompany the children on the bus.
Check. The sentence uses accompany correctly. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. Very old, from long ago, is ancient.very old
- Check the ending. Ancient ends in -ient.ancient
- Write the answer. ancient
Check. ancient has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. A group of things that share a feature is a category.a group
- Check the ending. Category ends in -ory.categ-ory
- Write the answer. category
Check. category ends in -ory. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. A place where the dead are buried is a cemetery.a place where the dead are buried
- Check the ending. Cemetery ends in -ery.cemet-ery
- Write the answer. cemetery
Check. cemetery ends in -ery. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, and check the letters against the list.
- Find the word that is wrong. Bargin is missing the a.bargin
- Write the correct word. Bargain is spelt b, a, r, g, a, i, n.bargain
- Write the answer. The bargain in the shop was very good.
Check. bargain is spelt with two a letters. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the first letters.
- Use the meaning. To go with someone is to accompany them.to go with
- Check the first letters. The word starts with ac, then cc.ac
- Write the answer. accompany
Check. accompany starts with ac. ✓
Method. Count the double letters.
- Count the pairs. Accommodate has two pairs of doubles.cc, mm
- Check the order. Each pair must be written in the right place.a c c o m m o d a t e
- Write the answer. It has two pairs of double letters, cc and mm, so each pair must be checked.
Check. cc and mm are both in the word. ✓
Method. Check the letters of the word, and whether any letter is silent.
- Check the letters. Conscience is spelt c, o, n, s, c, i, e, n, c, e.c o n s c i e n c e
- Decide. The letters are written, and this is not a silent-letter pattern.no silent c
- Write the answer. no
Check. The c letters are written and not a silent pattern. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the letters.
- Use the meaning. The feeling that tells you what is right and wrong is conscience.right and wrong
- Check the letters. Conscience has sc in the middle.con-science
- Write the answer. conscience
Check. conscience has the meaning given. ✓
Word list words 18 to 34, from committee to disastrous
These are words 18 to 34 of the word list. Some end in -ary, -ery or -ory, so learn the ending of each one. Dictionary ends in -ary, cemetery in -ery, and category in -ory.
Words 18 to 34
| No. | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | committee | a group of people chosen to make decisions |
| 19 | communicate | to share information with others |
| 20 | community | people who live or work in the same place |
| 21 | competition | a contest between people or teams |
| 22 | conscience | the feeling that tells you what is right and wrong |
| 23 | conscious | awake, and aware of what is happening |
| 24 | controversy | a public argument about something important |
| 25 | convenience | something that makes a job easier |
| 26 | correspond | to write letters to someone, or to match |
| 27 | criticise | to point out what is wrong |
| 28 | curiosity | a strong wish to know or learn |
| 29 | definite | certain and clear |
| 30 | desperate | very anxious, or needing something very badly |
| 31 | determined | firmly decided to do something |
| 32 | develop | to grow, or to improve |
| 33 | dictionary | a book that gives the meanings of words |
| 34 | disastrous | very bad, and causing great harm |
Key ideas
- Each word has a meaning, and the meaning helps you remember the spelling.
- Words ending in -ary, -ery and -ory are learned from the list.
- Check every double letter.
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. A book that gives the meanings of words is a dictionary.a book of meanings
- Check the ending. Dictionary ends in -ary.dictionar-y
- Write the word. Dictionary is spelt with -ary at the end.dictionary
- Write the answer. dictionary
Check. dictionary ends in -ary. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. Very bad, and causing great harm, is disastrous.very bad
- Check the ending. Disastrous ends in -rous.disaster-ous
- Write the word. Disastrous has a single s after the r.disastrous
- Write the answer. disastrous
Check. disastrous ends in -ous. ✓
Method. Check the ending and the letters.
- Say the letters. The word ends in -ined, with an e before the d.determined
- Compare the spellings. Determind leaves out the e, so it is wrong.determined
- Write the word. Determined means firmly decided to do something.determined
- Write the answer. determined
Check. determined has the e before d. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: dictionary, cemetery and category end in three different ways. Learn each ending with its word.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to make three columns, one each for -ary, -ery and -ory, and to write each word in the right column.
Exercise 3C Practice: words 18 to 34
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: a group of people chosen to make decisions.a group of people chosen to make decisions
- Check the letters. The double letters in committee are m and t and e.committee
- Write the answer. committee
Check. committee has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: a contest between people or teams.a contest between people or teams
- Check the letters. competition has no double letters, so check each letter in order.competition
- Write the answer. competition
Check. competition has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: a public argument about something important.a public argument about something important
- Check the letters. controversy has no double letters, so check each letter in order.controversy
- Write the answer. controversy
Check. controversy has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to write letters to someone, or to match.to write letters to someone, or to match
- Check the letters. The double letter in correspond is r.correspond
- Write the answer. correspond
Check. correspond has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: a strong wish to know or learn.a strong wish to know or learn
- Check the letters. curiosity has no double letters, so check each letter in order.curiosity
- Write the answer. curiosity
Check. curiosity has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: certain and clear.certain and clear
- Check the letters. definite has no double letters, so check each letter in order.definite
- Write the answer. definite
Check. definite has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: very anxious, or needing something very badly.very anxious, or needing something very badly
- Check the letters. desperate has no double letters, so check each letter in order.desperate
- Write the answer. desperate
Check. desperate has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: a book that gives the meanings of words.a book that gives the meanings of words
- Check the letters. dictionary has no double letters, so check each letter in order.dictionary
- Write the answer. dictionary
Check. dictionary has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Dictionary has the letters i, o, n, a, r, y, and the -ary ending.dictionary fits
- Reject the other choices. dictonary has a letter in the wrong place or missing.dictonary do not fit
- Write the answer. dictionary
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Desperate has the letters e, s, p, e, r, a, t, e.desperate fits
- Reject the other choices. desparate has a letter in the wrong place or missing.desparate do not fit
- Write the answer. desperate
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Look for two of the same letter next to each other.
- Look at the word. Committee has mm, then tt, then ee.mm, tt, ee
- Name the letters. The doubled letters are m, t and e.m, t and e
- Write the answer. m, t and e
Check. The doubled letters are m, t and e. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. Firmly decided to do something is determined.firmly decided
- Check the letters. Determined has the ending -ined.determ-ined
- Write the answer. determined
Check. determined has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Use the word to describe people who live in the same place.
- Choose the subject. The community is the subject.The whole community
- Add the verb. A community is people who live in the same place.came to the summer fair
- Write the answer. The whole community came to the summer fair.
Check. The sentence uses community correctly. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. A place where the dead are buried is a cemetery.a place where the dead are buried
- Check the ending. Cemetery ends in -ery.cemet-ery
- Write the answer. cemetery
Check. cemetery ends in -ery. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, and check its letters.
- Find the word that is wrong. Disasterous has an extra e in the middle.disasterous
- Write the correct word. Disastrous is spelt d, i, s, a, s, t, r, o, u, s.disastrous
- Write the answer. The disastrous flood closed the road.
Check. disastrous has no e in the middle. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the letters.
- Use the meaning. The people who run a country are the government.run a country
- Check the letters. Government has no double letters, and it ends in -ment.government
- Write the answer. government
Check. government has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Compare category with dictionary.
- Look at the ending of category. Category ends in -ory.categ-ory
- Compare with dictionary. Dictionary ends in -ary, so the endings are different.dictionary
- Write the answer. Category ends in -ory, which is one of the endings to learn with the word.
Check. The endings are learned with each word. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. To point out what is wrong is to criticise.point out what is wrong
- Check the ending. Criticise ends in -ise.criticise
- Write the answer. criticise
Check. criticise ends in -ise. ✓
Method. Use the word to describe a public argument.
- Choose the subject. The new rule is the subject.The new rule
- Add the noun. Controversy means a public argument about something important.caused a controversy
- Write the answer. The new rule caused a controversy in the school council
Check. The sentence uses controversy correctly. ✓
Word list words 35 to 50, from embarrass to hindrance
These are words 35 to 50 of the word list. Some of them have double letters, such as the ss in embarrass and the gg in exaggerate. Others, such as forty, are spelt in a way that is not obvious, so learn them.
Words 35 to 50
| No. | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | embarrass | to make someone feel awkward or ashamed |
| 36 | environment | the surroundings where people, plants and animals live |
| 37 | equip | to supply someone with what they need |
| 38 | especially | more than other things, in particular |
| 39 | exaggerate | to make something seem bigger or better than it is |
| 40 | excellent | extremely good |
| 41 | existence | the state of being alive or real |
| 42 | explanation | a set of reasons that makes something clear |
| 43 | familiar | well known to you |
| 44 | foreign | from another country |
| 45 | forty | the number that is four times ten |
| 46 | frequently | often, many times |
| 47 | government | the people who run a country |
| 48 | guarantee | a promise that something will happen or be right |
| 49 | harass | to keep annoying or bothering someone |
| 50 | hindrance | something that holds you back |
Key ideas
- Learn each word from its meaning.
- Check the double letters, such as ss in embarrass.
- Use a dictionary to confirm the spelling and meaning.
Method. Use the meaning, then check the double letters.
- Use the meaning. To make someone feel awkward or ashamed is to embarrass them.embarrass
- Check the double letters. Embarrass has rr and ss.rr and ss
- Write the word. Embarrass has two r letters and two s letters.embarrass
- Write the answer. embarrass
Check. embarrass has rr and ss. ✓
Method. Check the double letters.
- Say the letters. Exaggerate has gg in the middle.exag-ger-ate
- Compare the spellings. Exagerate has only one g, so it is missing a letter.exaggerate
- Write the word. Exaggerate means to make something seem bigger than it is.exaggerate
- Write the answer. exaggerate
Check. exaggerate has gg. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then learn the spelling.
- Use the meaning. Four times ten is forty.four times ten
- Learn the spelling. Forty is spelt with -ty at the end, not -ti.forty
- Write the word. The number is forty.forty
- Write the answer. forty
Check. forty is spelt f, o, r, t, y. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: forty does not contain the word four. Learn it as a separate word, and check that it has an -ty ending.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to look up two words from this section in a dictionary. Ask them to read the entry aloud, then to say the meaning in their own words.
Exercise 3D Practice: words 35 to 50
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to make someone feel awkward or ashamed.to make someone feel awkward or ashamed
- Check the letters. The double letters in embarrass are r and s.embarrass
- Write the answer. embarrass
Check. embarrass has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: the surroundings where people, plants and animals live.the surroundings where people, plants and animals live
- Check the letters. environment has no double letters, so check each letter in order.environment
- Write the answer. environment
Check. environment has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to make something seem bigger or better than it is.to make something seem bigger or better than it is
- Check the letters. The double letter in exaggerate is g.exaggerate
- Write the answer. exaggerate
Check. exaggerate has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: extremely good.extremely good
- Check the letters. The double letter in excellent is l.excellent
- Write the answer. excellent
Check. excellent has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: well known to you.well known to you
- Check the letters. familiar has no double letters, so check each letter in order.familiar
- Write the answer. familiar
Check. familiar has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: often, many times.often, many times
- Check the letters. frequently has no double letters, so check each letter in order.frequently
- Write the answer. frequently
Check. frequently has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: the people who run a country.the people who run a country
- Check the letters. government has no double letters, so check each letter in order.government
- Write the answer. government
Check. government has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: something that holds you back.something that holds you back
- Check the letters. hindrance has no double letters, so check each letter in order.hindrance
- Write the answer. hindrance
Check. hindrance has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Exaggerate has gg in the middle.exaggerate fits
- Reject the other choices. exagerate has a letter in the wrong place or missing.exagerate do not fit
- Write the answer. exaggerate
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Hindrance has the letters h, i, n, d, r, a, n, c, e.hindrance fits
- Reject the other choices. hinderance has a letter in the wrong place or missing.hinderance do not fit
- Write the answer. hindrance
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Look for two of the same letter next to each other.
- Look at the word. Embarrass has rr, then ss.rr, ss
- Name the letters. The doubled letters are r and s.r and s
- Write the answer. r and s
Check. The doubled letters are r and s. ✓
Method. Use the word to describe something good value for money.
- Choose the subject. The jacket is the subject.The yellow jacket
- Add the noun. A bargain is something good value for the money.was a bargain at only five pounds
- Write the answer. The yellow jacket was a bargain at only five pounds.
Check. The sentence uses bargain correctly. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the letters.
- Use the meaning. From another country is foreign.another country
- Check the letters. Foreign has a silent g at its end.foreign
- Write the answer. foreign
Check. foreign has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. Often, many times, is frequently.often
- Check the ending. Frequently ends in -ly.frequent-ly
- Write the answer. frequently
Check. frequently has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. To keep annoying or bothering someone is to harass them.annoying
- Check the letters. Harass has a double s.har-ass
- Write the answer. harass
Check. harass has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, and check the ending.
- Find the word that is wrong. Guarante ends in -te, not -tee.guarante
- Write the correct word. Guarantee is spelt g, u, a, r, a, n, t, e, e.guarantee
- Write the answer. The guarantee on the new bike was for two years.
Check. guarantee ends in -tee. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the letters.
- Use the meaning. A promise that something will happen or be right is a guarantee.a promise
- Check the ending. Guarantee ends in -tee.guarant-ee
- Write the answer. guarantee
Check. guarantee has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Say what the entry shows.
- Find the entry. The entry shows the word spelt with gg.exaggerate
- Check the meaning. The meaning shows whether the word fits the sentence.meaning
- Write the answer. It shows the spelling with gg, and gives the meaning, so you can check it is the right word
Check. The dictionary gives the spelling and meaning. ✓
Method. Think about what you can work out.
- Think about the meaning. Four times ten does not show the spelling.four times ten
- Decide the method. The letters must be learned.learned
- Write the answer. It is not obvious from the meaning, so the letters must be learned as a list word.
Check. The spelling is learned, not worked out. ✓
Using the words in sentences, and checking them
The best way to learn a word is to use it correctly in a sentence. Choose the word whose meaning fits the sentence, then check its spelling letter by letter.
Checking a word
1Read the sentence, and decide what kind of word is missing.
2Choose the list word that fits the meaning.
3Check the double letters and the ending.
4If you are not sure, check the dictionary entry.
Key ideas
- A word must fit the meaning of the sentence.
- Check the spelling after you choose the word.
- A dictionary confirms the spelling and the meaning.
Method. Read the sentence, then find the word that means provide room for.
- Read the sentence. The school made more room, so it wants to provide room.made more room
- Find the word. To provide room for someone is to accommodate them.accommodate
- Check the spelling. Accommodate has cc and mm.cc and mm
- Write the answer. accommodate
Check. accommodate fits the sentence and has cc and mm. ✓
Method. Read the sentence, then find the group that makes decisions.
- Read the sentence. A group of people who meet to decide things is needed.meet on Monday
- Find the word. A group of people chosen to make decisions is a committee.committee
- Check the spelling. Committee has mm, tt and ee.mm, tt, ee
- Write the answer. committee
Check. committee fits the sentence. ✓
Method. Read the sentence, then find the book that gives meanings.
- Read the sentence. Ben used a book to find the spelling.looked up the spelling
- Find the word. A book that gives the meanings of words is a dictionary.dictionary
- Check the ending. Dictionary ends in -ary.-ary
- Write the answer. dictionary
Check. dictionary fits the sentence. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a word can be spelt correctly and still not fit the sentence. Check the meaning as well as the spelling.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Read a sentence with a gap aloud, and ask your child to choose the list word that fits. Then ask them to check the spelling on paper.
Exercise 3E Practice: using the words in sentences
Method. Read the sentence, and choose the word that fits its meaning.
- Read the sentence. A group of people who make decisions is a committee.committee
- Check the spelling. committee is spelt with the letters shown in the list.committee
- Write the answer. committee
Check. The sentence makes sense with committee. ✓
Method. Read the sentence, and choose the word that fits its meaning.
- Read the sentence. Determined means firmly decided to do something.determined
- Check the spelling. determined is spelt with the letters shown in the list.determined
- Write the answer. determined
Check. The sentence makes sense with determined. ✓
Method. Read the sentence, and choose the word that fits its meaning.
- Read the sentence. A book that gives meanings is a dictionary.dictionary
- Check the spelling. dictionary is spelt with the letters shown in the list.dictionary
- Write the answer. dictionary
Check. The sentence makes sense with dictionary. ✓
Method. Read the sentence, then find the word that means very old.
- Read the sentence. The castle was built long ago.built long ago
- Find the word. Very old, from long ago, is ancient.ancient
- Write the answer. ancient
Check. ancient fits the sentence. ✓
Method. Use the word to say that something can be used or obtained.
- Choose the subject. The bike is the subject.The only bike
- Add the adjective. Available means able to be used or obtained.was available
- Write the answer. The only bike that was available was painted red.
Check. The sentence uses available correctly. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the double letters.
- Use the meaning. To share information with others is to communicate.share information
- Check the double letters. Communicate has mm.mm
- Write the answer. communicate
Check. communicate has mm. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the spelling.
- Use the meaning. The surroundings where living things live is the environment.surroundings
- Check the spelling. Environment has the letters n, m, e, n, t.environment
- Write the answer. environment
Check. environment has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, and check its letters.
- Find the word that is wrong. Awkard is missing the w.awkard
- Write the correct word. Awkward is spelt a, w, k, w, a, r, d.awkward
- Write the answer. The awkward step made the child stumble.
Check. awkward has a w in the middle. ✓
Method. Check the letters of the word in the list.
- Find the correct spelling. Conscience is spelt c, o, n, s, c, i, e, n, c, e.conscience
- Compare. Dev has written the letters in the wrong order.wrong order
- Write the answer. He is wrong; the word is spelt conscience, with -cience and a second c.
Check. conscience is spelt with a second c, and the letters are in order. ✓
Method. Say what the dictionary shows.
- Look at the entry. The entry shows the correct spelling.correct spelling
- Check the meaning. The entry shows whether the word fits the sentence.meaning
- Write the answer. A dictionary shows the correct spelling and meaning, so you can check your word
Check. The dictionary checks both spelling and meaning. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check for double letters.
- Use the meaning. A contest between teams is a competition.contest
- Check the double letters. Competition has no double letters; check the letters in order.competition
- Write the answer. competition
Check. competition has the meaning given. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Silent letter | A letter that is written but not said. Patterns: kn, wr, gn, mb, bt, sl. |
| Double letters | Some words have two of the same letter together, such as cc in accommodate and mm in committee. |
| -ary, -ery, -ory | Dictionary ends in -ary, cemetery in -ery, and category in -ory. Learn each word with its ending. |
| Word list 1 to 50 | Learn each word with its meaning, and check its double letters. |
| Dictionary | Use the entry to check the spelling and the meaning of a word. |
Can you…?
- I can name the silent letter in a word from its pattern
- I can spell the words 1 to 50 of the word list, using their meanings
- I can find the double letters in a word, and write them in the right places
- I can spell words ending in -ary, -ery and -ory
- I can use a word from the list correctly in a sentence
- I can check a spelling and a meaning in a dictionary
Key terms
- silent letter
- a letter that is written in a word but is not said
- double letter
- two of the same letter written next to each other, such as mm in committee
- word list
- a list of words that pupils must learn to spell by the end of a stage
- dictionary entry
- the part of a dictionary that gives the spelling, meaning and origin of a word
- meaning
- what a word tells us, which helps us to remember its spelling
Exercise 3Z Check-up
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern mb at the end.mb at the end
- Find the silent letter. In lamb, the letter b is written but not said.b
- Write the answer. b
Check. The silent letter in lamb is b. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Look at the spelling pattern, then check which letter is not said.
- Look at the spelling. The word has the pattern kn at the start.kn at the start
- Find the silent letter. In knight, the letter k is written but not said.k
- Write the answer. k
Check. The silent letter in knight is k. ✓
Watch out. A silent letter is written but not said. Learn the pattern, and the word, together.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to provide room or a place for someone.to provide room or a place for someone
- Check the letters. The double letters in accommodate are c and m.accommodate
- Write the answer. accommodate
Check. accommodate has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: a group of people chosen to make decisions.a group of people chosen to make decisions
- Check the letters. The double letters in committee are m and t and e.committee
- Write the answer. committee
Check. committee has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Think about the meaning, then check the spelling letter by letter.
- Think about the meaning. The meaning is: to make something seem bigger or better than it is.to make something seem bigger or better than it is
- Check the letters. The double letter in exaggerate is g.exaggerate
- Write the answer. exaggerate
Check. exaggerate has the meaning given. ✓
Watch out. Say the word in syllables, then write each letter in order.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Government has the letters g, o, v, e, r, n, m, e, n, t.government fits
- Reject the other choices. goverment has a letter in the wrong place or missing.goverment do not fit
- Write the answer. government
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Embarrass has rr and ss.embarrass fits
- Reject the other choices. embarass has a letter in the wrong place or missing.embarass do not fit
- Write the answer. embarrass
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters one by one, and look for double letters.
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. A place where the dead are buried is a cemetery.cemetery
- Check the ending. Cemetery ends in -ery.cemet-ery
- Write the answer. cemetery
Check. cemetery ends in -ery. ✓
Method. Find the wrong word, and check its letters.
- Find the word that is wrong. Disasterous has an extra e in the middle.disasterous
- Write the correct word. Disastrous is spelt without the extra e.disastrous
- Write the answer. The disastrous news was a shock to the community.
Check. disastrous has no extra e. ✓
Method. Say what it is, then give a word with one.
- Say what it is. A silent letter is written but not said.written, not said
- Give an example. Knight has a silent k at its start.knight
- Write the answer. A silent letter is written in a word but not said, for example the k in knight.
Check. The example has a correct silent letter. ✓
Total 15 marks. Allow about 15 minutes.
Exercise 3X Practice test questions
Method. Look at the start of the word.
- Look at the start. The word starts with wr.wr
- Find the silent letter. The w is written, but it is not said.w
- Write the answer. w
Check. The silent letter in wrong is w. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the letters.
- Use the meaning. From another country is foreign.foreign
- Check the letters. Foreign has a silent g at its end.foreign
- Write the answer. foreign
Check. foreign has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. Very bad, and causing great harm, is disastrous.disastrous
- Check the ending. Disastrous ends in -ous.disaster-ous
- Write the answer. disastrous
Check. disastrous has the meaning given. ✓
Method. Look for two of the same letter next to each other.
- Look at the word. Accompany has cc at the start.a c c o m p a n y
- Name the letter. The only doubled letter is c.c
- Write the answer. c
Check. accompany has cc. ✓
Method. Find each word that is wrong, and check its letters.
- Find the first mistake. Bargin is missing the a.bargin
- Find the second mistake. Excellant has the ending -ant, but the word is excellent.excellant
- Write the answer. The bargain at the market was excellent.
Check. bargain and excellent are both correct. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. A book that gives the meanings of words is a dictionary.dictionary
- Check the ending. Dictionary ends in -ary.dictionar-y
- Write the answer. dictionary
Check. dictionary ends in -ary. ✓
Method. Use the word to say that a place has room for people.
- Choose the subject. The hotel is the subject.The hotel
- Add the verb. Accommodate means to provide room for someone.can accommodate all forty pupils on the trip.
- Write the answer. The hotel can accommodate all forty pupils on the trip.
Check. accommodate is spelt with cc and mm. ✓
Method. Count the double letters.
- Count the doubles. Committee has three pairs of double letters.mm, tt, ee
- Check each one. Each pair must be written in the right place.c o m m i t t e e
- Write the answer. Committee has mm, tt and ee, so I check each double letter.
Check. committee has three doubled pairs. ✓
Method. Use the meaning, then check the ending.
- Use the meaning. A place where the dead are buried is a cemetery.cemetery
- Check the ending. Cemetery ends in -ery.cemet-ery
- Write the answer. cemetery
Check. cemetery ends in -ery. ✓
Method. Look at the pattern and the silent letter.
- Look at the pattern. Sign ends in gn.gn
- Find the silent letter. The g is written, but it is not said.g
- Write the answer. The g in sign is silent, because it is written but not said.
Check. The g in sign is silent. ✓