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

Letter sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can say the sound for m, d, g, o, c and k
  • I can tell that c and k can make the same /k/ sound
  • I can find the picture whose name starts with the sound I need
  • I can find the letter a word starts with

You should already know

  • Letter sounds: s, a, t, p, i, n (Chapter 1)

Where this leads

  • Letter sounds: e, u, r, h, b, f, l (Chapter 3)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Say the sound for each letter m, d, g, o, c and k, Know that c and k can both make the /k/ sound, Find the picture whose name starts with a given sound, Find the letter that a picture name or written word starts with.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter makes the sound at the start of sun? Choose s, a or t. A a B t C s Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich letter comes after t in the alphabet? A v B u C s Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich picture name starts with a: tin, ant or pan? A ant B pan C tin Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich letter does the word pin start with? Choose from: p, n, i
5
FWhich letter comes just before n in the alphabet? A o B m C l Choose A, B or C.
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
Video lesson: The sounds of m and dComing soon

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
2.2

The sounds of g and o

Level 1
Say the sound for g and o, Find the letter for a picture name
Video lesson: The sounds of g and oComing soon

The letter g makes the sound /g/, as in goat and gift.

The letter o makes the sound /o/, a short sound like the o in hot. It is in octopus and ox.

Both words in each pair start with the same sound, so look at the letter.

Key ideas

  • g makes the sound /g/, as in goat and gift.
  • o makes the short sound /o/, as in octopus and ox.
  • The sound /g/ is a hard sound, as in goat.
  • Look at the first letter of each picture name.
Worked example 2.2.1
Which picture starts with the sound /g/? Look at the first letter of each name.nutmopgoat

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.
    nut: n mop: m goat: g
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /g/. That is the picture you need.
    goat starts with g
  3. Write the answer.
    goat

Check. Only goat starts with g. ✓

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

Worked example 2.2.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, g

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

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

Check. g is the first letter of goat. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 2.2.3
Which picture starts with the sound /g/? Look at the first letter of each name.piggiftnet

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.
    pig: p gift: g net: n
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /g/. That is the picture you need.
    gift starts with g
  3. Write the answer.
    gift

Check. Only gift starts with g. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: goat starts with a hard g. Do not put a different sound in its place.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say "g" as in goat, a hard sound at the back of the throat. Say "o" as in ox, short and round.

Exercise 2B  Practice: the sounds of g and o

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, g
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /o/? Look at the first letter of each name.
mapoctopuscat
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: o, a, s
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /o/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tapantox
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, o
6
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
goatgiftsun
7
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
octopusoxsun
8
RSam says that goat starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
goat
9
RSam says that octopus starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
octopus
2.3

The sounds of c and k

Level 1
Know c and k can both make /k/, Find the picture for the sound /k/
Video lesson: The sounds of c and kComing soon

The letter c makes the sound /k/ in cat, cup and cow.

The letter k makes the same sound, /k/, in kite and kettle.

So the sound /k/ can be written with c or with k. Look at the letter to find the first letter, and remember that c and k can share a sound.

Key ideas

  • c makes the sound /k/, as in cat, cup and cow.
  • k makes the sound /k/, as in kite and kettle.
  • Both c and k can give the same first sound.
  • The first letter of the name tells you which letter to write.
Worked example 2.3.1
Which picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.inkcatmat

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.
    ink: i cat: c mat: m
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /k/. That is the picture you need.
    cat starts with c
  3. Write the answer.
    cat

Check. Only cat starts with c. ✓

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

Worked example 2.3.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: c, a, s

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

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

Check. c is the first letter of cat. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 2.3.3
Which picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.antcupgoat

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.
    ant: a cup: c goat: g
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /k/. That is the picture you need.
    cup starts with c
  3. Write the answer.
    cup

Check. Only cup starts with c. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: cat and kite start with different letters, but they start with the same sound, /k/.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the /k/ sound at the back of the mouth, with no "uh". Ask the child: which letter starts the name?

Exercise 2C  Practice: the sounds of c and k

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: c, s, a
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.
cowdogigloo
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, c
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.
kitepinigloo
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: k, a, s
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.
pankettlegift
7
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, k, a
8
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
catcupsun
9
RSam says that cat starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
cat
2.4

Mixing the sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k

Level 1
Mix the six letters and find the right picture or letter
Video lesson: Mixing the sounds: m, d, g, o, c, kComing soon

Now the six letters are mixed. Look at the first letter of each picture name, then choose the picture or letter that matches.

Remember that c and k can both make /k/. Remember that o is a short sound.

Key ideas

  • Use the first letter of each name.
  • c and k can both make /k/.
  • Check each choice before you answer.
Worked example 2.4.1
Which picture starts with the sound /m/? Look at the first letter of each name.mugantpin

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.
    mug: m ant: a pin: p
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /m/. That is the picture you need.
    mug starts with m
  3. Write the answer.
    mug

Check. Only mug starts with m. ✓

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

Worked example 2.4.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, m

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

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

Check. m is the first letter of mug. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 2.4.3
Sam says that mug starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.mug

Method. Find the first letter, then check Sam's claim.

  1. Say the word slowly. Look at the first letter.
    mug
  2. Find the first letter. The first letter gives the first sound.
    first letter = m
  3. Compare with what Sam said. The two letters must match.
    s is not m
  4. Write the answer.
    No, mug starts with m.

Check. mug begins with m. ✓

Watch out. Look at the first letter, not a letter in the middle.

Watch out

Watch out: a picture can start with a letter from this set and still not be the answer you want. Check every letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the first letter of each picture name, then say the sound together.

Exercise 2D  Practice: mixing the sounds: m, d, g, o, c, k

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /d/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tentdadpan
2
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: d, s, a
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /g/? Look at the first letter of each name.
nutmopgoat
4
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, g
5
FWhich picture starts with the sound /o/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tapantox
6
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, o
7
FWhich picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.
cowdogigloo
8
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, c
9
FWhich picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.
kitepinigloo
10
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: k, a, s
11
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
cowkitesun
12
RSam says that dad starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
dad
13
RSam says that goat starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
goat
14
RSam says that ox starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
ox
15
RSam says that cow starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
cow

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Say the sound of m, d, g, o, c and kUse the example word for each letter
Know that c and k can make /k/Look at the letter, then remember the sound is the same
Find the picture whose name starts with a soundCompare only the first letters
Find the letter a name or word starts withRead from the left and take the first letter

Can you…?

  • I can say the sounds for m, d, g, o, c and k
  • I know that c and k can both make the /k/ sound
  • I can find the picture whose name starts with the sound I need
  • I can find the first letter of a picture name or word

Key terms

hard g
the sound /g/, as in goat
short vowel
a short sound such as /o/ in ox or hot
same sound
two letters that make the same sound, such as c and k in /k/

Exercise 2Z  Check-up

1
Which picture starts with the sound /m/? Look at the first letter of each name.
mapsunpot
2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, m, s
3
Sam says that map starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
map
4
Which picture starts with the sound /d/? Look at the first letter of each name.
mugduckox
5
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: d, a, s
6
Sam says that duck starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
duck
7
Which picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.
pankettlegift
8
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, k, a
9
Which letter makes the sound at the start of ox? Choose o, g or d. A o B g C d Choose A, B or C.
10
Which letter does the word goat start with? Choose from: t, g, o

Exercise 2X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /g/? Look at the first letter of each name.
piggiftnet
2
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, a, g
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /d/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tentdadpan
4
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: d, s, a
5
FWhich picture starts with the sound /k/? Look at the first letter of each name.
inkcatmat
6
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: c, a, s
7
FWhich letter does the word mug start with? Choose m, n or u. A u B n C m Choose A, B or C.
8
FWhich picture name starts with the sound /k/? Choose ox, kite or dog. A dog B ox C kite Choose A, B or C.
9
FWhich letter does the word octopus start with? Choose from: k, o, c
10
FWhich letter makes the sound /d/? Choose d, g or m. A d B g C m Choose A, B or C.
← Chapter 1: Letter sounds: s, a, t, p, i, nChapter 3: Letter sounds: e, u, r, h, b, f, l →

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