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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 8 · Tricky words: my, you, they, all, are, was, her
Level 1 · Chapter 8

Tricky words: my, you, they, all, are, was, her

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can read my, you, they, all, are, was and her by sight
  • I can choose the tricky word that makes a sentence make sense
  • I can tell was and saw apart
  • I can find a tricky word in a list

You should already know

  • Tricky words: the, to, I, no, go, he, she, we, me, be (Chapter 7)

Where this leads

  • Reading short sentences (Chapter 9)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Read each tricky word on sight, without sounding it out, Choose the tricky word that completes a sentence, Tell apart two words that look alike, such as was and saw, Find a tricky word in a list of written words.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich word has the middle letter a? Choose hut, hat or hen. A hen B hut C hat Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich tricky word did we learn in Chapter 7? Choose my, the or they. A they B my C the Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich letter comes straight after s in the alphabet? Choose r, t or u. A u B r C t Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich word has the middle letter o? Choose cup, dog or pin. A pin B cup C dog Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich sentence starts with a capital letter? Choose my dog ran. or My dog ran. A My dog ran. B my dog ran. Choose A, B or C.
8.1

Tricky words: my, you and they

Level 1
Read my, you and they by sight, Choose the word that completes a sentence
Video lesson: Tricky words: my, you and theyComing soon

my means belonging to me. you means the person I am talking to. they means more than one person or thing.

My bag is red. Can you play? They went home.

Read each tricky word the same way every time you see it.

Key ideas

  • my is said as /my/. It is always written the same.
  • you is said as /you/.
  • they is said as /they/, and starts with th.
Worked example 8.1.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: This is ______ bag. A they B you C my Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    This is ______ bag.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    they / you / my
  3. Pick the word that fits. my is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    my fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Read the sentence with my in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.1.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Can ______ play with me? A you B they C my Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Can ______ play with me?
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    you / they / my
  3. Pick the word that fits. you is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    you fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence with you in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.1.3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ are going to the park. A My B You C They Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    ______ are going to the park.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    My / You / They
  3. Pick the word that fits. They is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    They fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Read the sentence with They in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Watch out

Watch out: my and you both belong in a sentence about a person. Read the whole sentence before you choose.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read each tricky word aloud, then ask the child to say who the word talks about.

Exercise 8A  Practice: tricky words: my, you and they

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I like ______ red coat. A you B my C they Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Did ______ see the dog? A my B they C you Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ went home after school. A You B They C My Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Look at ______ kite flying high! A they B my C you Choose A, B or C.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Well done, ______ did a great job. A they B my C you Choose A, B or C.
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The children said ______ liked the game. A you B my C they Choose A, B or C.
7
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Is that ______ pencil on the table? A they B my C you Choose A, B or C.
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Mum said ______ can stay up late. A my B you C they Choose A, B or C.
9
FFind the word my in this list. A my B you C they Choose A, B or C.
10
FFind the word you in this list. A my B you C they Choose A, B or C.
11
FFind the word they in this list. A you B my C they Choose A, B or C.
12
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A dog my B my dig C my dog Choose A, B or C.
13
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A they are here B are they here C here they are Choose A, B or C.
8.2

Tricky words: all, are and her

Level 1
Read all, are and her by sight, Choose the word that completes a sentence
Video lesson: Tricky words: all, are and herComing soon

all means every one, as in all the toys. are is a word used with more than one, as in the apples are red. her means belonging to a girl or woman, or it is a word for her.

Put all the toys in the box. The apples are red. Give the book to her.

Read the whole sentence before you choose.

Key ideas

  • all means every one.
  • are is used with we, you or they, and with more than one thing.
  • her is used for a girl or a woman.
Worked example 8.2.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Put ______ the toys in the box. A all B her C are Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Put ______ the toys in the box.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    all / her / are
  3. Pick the word that fits. all is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    all fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence with all in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.2.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: The apples ______ red and sweet. A are B all C her Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    The apples ______ red and sweet.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    are / all / her
  3. Pick the word that fits. are is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    are fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence with are in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.2.3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Give the book to ______. A all B her C are Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Give the book to ______.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    all / her / are
  3. Pick the word that fits. her is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    her fits
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read the sentence with her in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Watch out

Watch out: are and her look alike at a glance. Read the whole word, not just the first two letters.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point to each tricky word as the child reads it. Ask: who or what does the word talk about?

Exercise 8B  Practice: tricky words: all, are and her

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ going to the park later. A all B are C her Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Mum gave ______ a big hug. A are B all C her Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Hooray, ______ children can come! A her B all C are Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Those cats ______ very soft. A all B are C her Choose A, B or C.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Sam waved to ______ at the gate. A all B her C are Choose A, B or C.
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The boys ______ ready for the race. A are B her C all Choose A, B or C.
7
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Please finish ______ your dinner. A are B all C her Choose A, B or C.
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Ask ______ to come and play. A all B her C are Choose A, B or C.
9
FFind the word all in this list. A her B all C are Choose A, B or C.
10
FFind the word are in this list. A her B all C are Choose A, B or C.
11
FFind the word her in this list. A her B are C all Choose A, B or C.
12
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A are here B her are C here are Choose A, B or C.
13
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A hat hers B her hat C hat her Choose A, B or C.
8.3

Tricky words: was and saw

Level 1
Tell was and saw apart, Choose the word that completes a sentence
Video lesson: Tricky words: was and sawComing soon

was tells us about a time that has gone. saw means looked at with your eyes.

It was a sunny day. Yesterday I saw a fox.

These two words look alike, so read every letter before you choose.

Key ideas

  • was is written w-a-s.
  • saw is written s-a-w.
  • Read the whole word before you decide.
Worked example 8.3.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Yesterday, I ______ a fox in the park. A was B saw C as Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Yesterday, I ______ a fox in the park.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    was / saw / as
  3. Pick the word that fits. saw is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    saw fits
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read the sentence with saw in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.3.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: It ______ a sunny day. A was B saw C as Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    It ______ a sunny day.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    was / saw / as
  3. Pick the word that fits. was is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    was fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence with was in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.3.3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Yesterday we ______ the rainbow. A was B as C saw Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Yesterday we ______ the rainbow.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    was / as / saw
  3. Pick the word that fits. saw is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    saw fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Read the sentence with saw in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Watch out

Watch out: was and saw look alike. Read the sentence, then check the word has the right letters.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write both words on separate cards. Ask the child to read each card, then the sentence.

Exercise 8C  Practice: tricky words: was and saw

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The bus ______ late this morning. A saw B as C was Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Tom ______ a bird on the fence. A was B as C saw Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The cake ______ very tasty. A was B as C saw Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Mia ______ her friend at the park. A saw B was C as Choose A, B or C.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It ______ cold in the morning. A was B as C saw Choose A, B or C.
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Dad ______ the moon last night. A was B as C saw Choose A, B or C.
7
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The shop ______ closed on Monday. A as B saw C was Choose A, B or C.
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ a big dog at the gate. A as B saw C was Choose A, B or C.
9
FFind the word was in this list. A saw B wax C was Choose A, B or C.
10
FFind the word saw in this list. A saw B was C sow Choose A, B or C.
11
FFind the word saw in this list. A saw B sow C was Choose A, B or C.
12
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A I saw it B saw it I C it saw I Choose A, B or C.
13
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A was late B wax late C late was Choose A, B or C.
8.4

Mixing the eight tricky words

Level 1
Read and choose any of the tricky words in this chapter, Use a tricky word in a phrase
Video lesson: Mixing the eight tricky wordsComing soon

Now the words from this chapter are mixed: my, you, they, all, are, was, her.

Read the whole sentence through first. Then choose the word that makes it correct.

Key ideas

  • Read the whole sentence first.
  • Try each choice in the gap.
  • Check the sentence makes sense.
Worked example 8.4.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Give ______ a hug. A you B her C my Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Give ______ a hug.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    you / her / my
  3. Pick the word that fits. her is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    her fits
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read the sentence with her in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.4.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: They ______ playing in the garden. A are B all C was Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    They ______ playing in the garden.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    are / all / was
  3. Pick the word that fits. are is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    are fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence with are in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.4.3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Yesterday, I ______ my kitten. A was B saw C all Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Yesterday, I ______ my kitten.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    was / saw / all
  3. Pick the word that fits. saw is the word that makes the sentence make sense.
    saw fits
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read the sentence with saw in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Watch out

Watch out: a tricky word can look like a short word you know. Read the whole sentence before you choose.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Let the child read the sentence with the wrong word in the gap, then with the right word.

Exercise 8D  Practice: mixing the eight tricky words

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Put ______ shoes on, please. A my B you C all Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It ______ a windy day. A are B all C was Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The flowers ______ bright. A her B are C was Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Can ______ help us? A they B her C you Choose A, B or C.
5
FFind the word her in this list. A her B all C my Choose A, B or C.
6
FFind the word saw in this list. A saw B was C you Choose A, B or C.
7
FFind the word all in this list. A they B all C are Choose A, B or C.
8
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A they are here B here are they C are here they Choose A, B or C.
9
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A all of us B us all of C of all us Choose A, B or C.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Read my, you and they by sightRead the whole sentence, then choose the word that fits
Read all, are and her by sightCheck who or what the sentence is about
Tell was and saw apartwas is about a time; saw is about looking
Use a tricky word in a phraseRead the phrase aloud and check the order

Can you…?

  • I can read my, you, they, all, are, was and her by sight
  • I can choose the tricky word that completes a sentence
  • I can tell was and saw apart
  • I can find a tricky word in a list

Key terms

tricky word
a word that does not follow the usual sounds, so we learn it by sight
belonging
something that is someone's, such as my bag
phrase
a short group of words, such as all of us

Exercise 8Z  Check-up

1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Can ______ come to the park with me? A my B you C they Choose A, B or C.
2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ are very good at football. A They B You C My Choose A, B or C.
3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Put ______ books on the shelf. A are B her C all Choose A, B or C.
4
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Those flowers ______ pretty. A her B are C all Choose A, B or C.
5
Choose the word that completes the sentence: It ______ a hot day yesterday. A was B as C saw Choose A, B or C.
6
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Yesterday we ______ a crab at the beach. A as B saw C was Choose A, B or C.
7
Find the word my in this list. A my B by C mum Choose A, B or C.
8
Find the word was in this list. A saw B wax C was Choose A, B or C.
9
Which line says the words in the right order? A all of us B us all of C of all us Choose A, B or C.
10
Which line says the words in the right order? A dog my B my dig C my dog Choose A, B or C.

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 8X  Practice test questions

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Mum gave ______ a kiss goodnight. A all B her C are Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ can see the stars tonight. A My B They C You Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The birds ______ singing in the trees. A was B are C all Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Tom ______ a rabbit in the field. A was B her C saw Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Hooray, ______ children have come! A her B all C are Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
6
FFind the word they in this list. A then B them C they Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
7
FFind the word her in this list. A her B hers C here Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
8
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A are here B her are C here are Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
9
FWhich line says the words in the right order? A are they B they is C they are Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
10
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It ______ my turn to play. A saw B are C was Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
← Chapter 7: Tricky words: the, to, I, no, go, he, she, we, me, beChapter 9: Reading short sentences →

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