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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 2 · Letter sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k
Step-by-step English Level 1 · Letter sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k · Lesson 2.1

Step-by-step English Level 1: The sounds of m and d

Part of the Step-by-step English Level 1 letter sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

2.1

The sounds of m and d

Level 1
Say the sound for m and d, Find the picture whose name starts with the sound

The letter m makes the sound /m/, as in mat, map, mug and mop.

The letter d makes the sound /d/, as in dog, dad and duck.

Both m and d are common at the start of names. Look at the first letter first.

Key ideas

  • m makes the sound /m/, as in mat, map, mug and mop.
  • d makes the sound /d/, as in dog, dad and duck.
  • Say /d/ quickly. Do not add an "uh".
  • The first letter of a name gives the first sound.
Worked example 2.1.1
Which picture starts with the sound /m/? Look at the first letter of each name.matcowduck

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    mat: m cow: c duck: d
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /m/. That is the picture you need.
    mat starts with m
  3. Write the answer.
    mat

Check. Only mat starts with m. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.

Worked example 2.1.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, m, s

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    mat
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    mat starts with m
  3. Write the answer.
    m

Check. m is the first letter of mat. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 2.1.3
Which picture starts with the sound /m/? Look at the first letter of each name.mapsunpot

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    map: m sun: s pot: p
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /m/. That is the picture you need.
    map starts with m
  3. Write the answer.
    map

Check. Only map starts with m. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.

Watch out

Watch out: dog and dad both start with d. The letter g at the end of dog does not change the first sound.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say "mmm" with lips closed, and "d" with a quick tap of the tongue. Point to the first letter of each name before naming the sound.

Exercise 2A  Practice: the sounds of m and d

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, m, s
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /m/? Look at the first letter of each name.
mugantpin
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, m
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /m/? Look at the first letter of each name.
duckgiftmop
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, m
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /d/? Look at the first letter of each name.
dogiglootap
7
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, d
8
FWhich picture starts with the sound /d/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tentdadpan
9
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: d, s, a
10
FWhich picture starts with the sound /d/? Look at the first letter of each name.
mugduckox
11
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: d, a, s
12
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
matmapsun
13
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
dogdadsun
14
RSam says that mat starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
mat
15
RSam says that dog starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
dog

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