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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 3 · Letter sounds: e, u, r, h, b, f, l
Step-by-step English Level 1 · Letter sounds: e, u, r, h, b, f, l · Lesson 3.3

Step-by-step English Level 1: The sounds of b and f

Part of the Step-by-step English Level 1 letter sounds: e, u, r, h, b, f, l chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

3.3

The sounds of b and f

Level 1
Say the sound for b and f, Find the picture for a first sound

The letter b makes the sound /b/, as in bat, bed, bus and bug.

The letter f makes the sound /f/, as in fish, fan and fox.

Both sounds are short and clear. Do not add an "uh" after them.

Key ideas

  • b makes the sound /b/, as in bat, bed, bus and bug.
  • f makes the sound /f/, as in fish, fan and fox.
  • Say /b/ and /f/ short and clear.
  • Look at the first letter of each name.
Worked example 3.3.1
Which picture starts with the sound /b/? Look at the first letter of each name.bateggup

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.
    bat: b egg: e up: u
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /b/. That is the picture you need.
    bat starts with b
  3. Write the answer.
    bat

Check. Only bat starts with b. ✓

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

Worked example 3.3.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, b

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

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

Check. b is the first letter of bat. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 3.3.3
Which picture starts with the sound /b/? Look at the first letter of each name.sockbedgoat

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.
    sock: s bed: b goat: g
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /b/. That is the picture you need.
    bed starts with b
  3. Write the answer.
    bed

Check. Only bed starts with b. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: bus and bat both start with b. Do not mix up b and d: the first letter tells you which.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say "b" with the lips together, then open. Say "f" with the top teeth on the lower lip. Point to each first letter.

Exercise 3C  Practice: the sounds of b and f

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: b, s, a
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /b/? Look at the first letter of each name.
mapbushen
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: b, s, a
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /b/? Look at the first letter of each name.
bugmapsun
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: b, s, a
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /f/? Look at the first letter of each name.
fishumbrellatap
7
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, f, a
8
FWhich picture starts with the sound /f/? Look at the first letter of each name.
fantoppot
9
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, f
10
FWhich picture starts with the sound /f/? Look at the first letter of each name.
foxumbrellamat
11
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, f, a
12
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
batbedsun
13
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
fishfansun
14
RSam says that bat starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
bat
15
RSam says that fish starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
fish

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