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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 9 · Reading short sentences
Level 1 · Chapter 9

Reading short sentences

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can read a short line of two or three words
  • I can read a sentence and find the picture it describes
  • I can tell whether a sentence starts with a capital and ends with a full stop
  • I can put the words of a sentence in the right order

You should already know

  • Chapters 1 to 8: letter sounds, CVC words, blending, spelling and tricky words

Where this leads

  • Level 1 check (Chapter 10)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Read a line of two or three words with known letters and tricky words, Read a sentence of four to six words and match it to a picture, Start a sentence with a capital letter and end it with a full stop, Put the words of a sentence back in the right order.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter makes the sound at the start of cup? Choose c, k or u. A k B u C c Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich word is a tricky word we learned? Choose the, cat or hat. A the B cat C hat Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich word has the short /e/ sound in the middle? Choose hen, bus or top. A top B hen C bus Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich line starts with a capital letter? Choose big dog. or Big dog. A big dog. B Big dog. Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich word means more than one person? Choose they, my or be. A be B my C they Choose A, B or C.
9.1

Reading a short line

Level 1
Read a line of two or three words and match it to a picture, Start with a capital and end with a full stop
Video lesson: Reading a short lineComing soon

A line can be only two or three words. Read every word, from left to right.

Red hat. is a short line. It tells you about one thing, a hat, and what colour it is.

Read the line, then look for the picture that it describes.

Key ideas

  • Read every word from left to right.
  • A short line can tell you one thing.
  • Sentences start with a capital letter.
Worked example 9.1.1
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Red hat. B Big bus. C Hot sun. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    hat
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    Red hat. / Big bus. / Hot sun.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice A tells us about the hat.
    A: Red hat.
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a hat. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Worked example 9.1.2
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Hot sun. B Big bus. C Red hat. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    bus
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    Hot sun. / Big bus. / Red hat.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice B tells us about the bus.
    B: Big bus.
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a bus. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Worked example 9.1.3
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Red hat. B Big bus. C Hot sun. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    sun
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    Red hat. / Big bus. / Hot sun.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice C tells us about the sun.
    C: Hot sun.
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a sun. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Watch out

Watch out: Hot sun. and Big bus. are both short lines. Read every word before you choose.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to read the line with a finger under each word, then point to the picture it describes.

Exercise 9A  Practice: reading a short line

1
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Big mug. B Red bed. C Hot pan. Choose A, B or C.
2
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Red hen. B Big pig. C Hot pan. Choose A, B or C.
3
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Big cat. B Red bus. C Hot pan. Choose A, B or C.
4
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Hot pan. B Big hen. C Red bed. Choose A, B or C.
5
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Big hen. B Red cup. C Hot pan. Choose A, B or C.
6
RWhich line is written correctly? A red hat B Red hat. Choose A or B.
7
RWhich line is written correctly? A big bus B Big bus. Choose A or B.
8
RWhich line is written correctly? A hot sun B Hot sun. Choose A or B.
9
RWhich line is written correctly? A big pig B Big pig. Choose A or B.
10
RWhich line is written correctly? A red bed B Red bed. Choose A or B.
11
RWhich line is written correctly? A Big cat. B big cat Choose A or B.
12
RWhich line is written correctly? A hot pan B Hot pan. Choose A or B.
13
RWhich line is written correctly? A Big hen. B big hen Choose A or B.
9.2

Reading a sentence

Level 1
Read a sentence of four to six words, Match a sentence to its picture
Video lesson: Reading a sentenceComing soon

A sentence tells a whole idea. It has a capital letter at the start and a full stop at the end.

The cat sat on the mat. tells us where the cat sat. Read the whole sentence first.

Then look at the choices. Only one sentence matches the picture.

Key ideas

  • A sentence tells a whole idea.
  • Read the whole sentence before the picture.
  • Check every word matches the picture.
Worked example 9.2.1
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The cat sat on the mat. B The dog is in the hut. C The pig is in the mud. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    cat
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    The cat sat on the mat. / The dog is in the hut. / The pig is in the mud.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice A tells us about the cat.
    A: The cat sat on the mat.
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a cat. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Worked example 9.2.2
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The cat sat on the mat. B The dog is in the hut. C Dad has a red hat. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    dog
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    The cat sat on the mat. / The dog is in the hut. / Dad has a red hat.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice B tells us about the dog.
    B: The dog is in the hut.
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a dog. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Worked example 9.2.3
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A A hen sat on a nest. B The sun is hot. C Mum has a mug. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    hen
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    A hen sat on a nest. / The sun is hot. / Mum has a mug.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice A tells us about the hen.
    A: A hen sat on a nest.
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a hen. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Watch out

Watch out: The dog is in the hut. and The cat sat on the mat. are both about animals. Read the whole sentence.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read each sentence aloud with the child. Ask: which picture does this sentence describe?

Exercise 9B  Practice: reading a sentence

1
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The pig is in the mud. B Dad can dig in the mud. C The sun is hot. Choose A, B or C.
2
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The bug is on a leg. B The mug is on the rug. C The pot is hot. Choose A, B or C.
3
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A My pan is hot. B The pot is on the mat. C The pig is big. Choose A, B or C.
4
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The ant is on a map. B The cat is on a bed. C Mum has a mug. Choose A, B or C.
5
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A I am in the tent. B The hut is red. C She has a red cup. Choose A, B or C.
6
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Mum has a mug. B She has a pan. C Ben has a bus. Choose A, B or C.
7
RWhich line is written correctly? A the cat sat on the mat B The cat sat on the mat. Choose A or B.
8
RWhich line is written correctly? A dad has a red hat B Dad has a red hat. Choose A or B.
9
RWhich line is written correctly? A the bug is on a leg B The bug is on a leg. Choose A or B.
10
RWhich line is written correctly? A Ben can get the red cup. B ben can get the red cup Choose A or B.
11
RWhich line is written correctly? A We go to the park. B we go to the park Choose A or B.
9.3

Capital letters and full stops

Level 1
Start a sentence with a capital letter, End a sentence with a full stop
Video lesson: Capital letters and full stopsComing soon

Every sentence starts with a capital letter, such as The or Dad.

Every sentence ends with a full stop. The full stop tells the reader to stop.

Check the first letter and the last mark before you choose.

Key ideas

  • A capital letter starts a sentence.
  • A full stop ends a sentence.
  • Check both ends.
Worked example 9.3.1
Which line is written correctly? A the cat sat on the mat B The cat sat on the mat. Choose A or B.

Method. Check the first letter and the end mark of each line.

  1. Look at the first letter of each line. It should be a capital letter.
    the cat sat on the mat / The cat sat on the mat.
  2. Look at the end of each line. It should end with a full stop.
    The cat sat on the mat. ends with a full stop
  3. Pick the correct line. Only one line has both.
    choice B
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Choice B starts with a capital and ends with a full stop. ✓

Watch out. Every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.

Worked example 9.3.2
Which line is written correctly? A dad has a red hat B Dad has a red hat. Choose A or B.

Method. Check the first letter and the end mark of each line.

  1. Look at the first letter of each line. It should be a capital letter.
    dad has a red hat / Dad has a red hat.
  2. Look at the end of each line. It should end with a full stop.
    Dad has a red hat. ends with a full stop
  3. Pick the correct line. Only one line has both.
    choice B
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Choice B starts with a capital and ends with a full stop. ✓

Watch out. Every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.

Worked example 9.3.3
Which line is written correctly? A the bug is on a leg B The bug is on a leg. Choose A or B.

Method. Check the first letter and the end mark of each line.

  1. Look at the first letter of each line. It should be a capital letter.
    the bug is on a leg / The bug is on a leg.
  2. Look at the end of each line. It should end with a full stop.
    The bug is on a leg. ends with a full stop
  3. Pick the correct line. Only one line has both.
    choice B
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Choice B starts with a capital and ends with a full stop. ✓

Watch out. Every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.

Watch out

Watch out: a line with a small letter at the start, or with no full stop, is not a sentence yet.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the capital letter first, then to the full stop at the end.

Exercise 9C  Practice: capital letters and full stops

1
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A A hen sat on a nest. B The sun is hot. C Mum has a mug. Choose A, B or C.
2
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The pig is in the mud. B Dad can dig in the mud. C The sun is hot. Choose A, B or C.
3
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The bug is on a leg. B The mug is on the rug. C The pot is hot. Choose A, B or C.
4
RWhich line is written correctly? A Ben can get the red cup. B ben can get the red cup Choose A or B.
5
RWhich line is written correctly? A We go to the park. B we go to the park Choose A or B.
6
RWhich line is written correctly? A tom has ten pins B Tom has ten pins. Choose A or B.
7
RWhich line is written correctly? A The pig is in the mud. B the pig is in the mud Choose A or B.
8
RWhich line is written correctly? A I am in the tent. B i am in the tent Choose A or B.
9
RWhich line is written correctly? A the ant is on a map B The ant is on a map. Choose A or B.
9.4

Putting the words in order

Level 1
Put the words of a sentence in the right order, Read the sentence to check it makes sense
Video lesson: Putting the words in orderComing soon

Sometimes the words are mixed up. Put them back in an order that makes sense.

Start with the word that tells the reader who or what the sentence is about.

Read the sentence aloud to check it makes sense, then add a capital letter and a full stop.

Key ideas

  • Find the word that starts the sentence.
  • Put the words in an order that makes sense.
  • Add a capital and a full stop.
Worked example 9.4.1
Put these words in the right order to make a sentence: cat / on / the / is / the / mat. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.

Method. Find the first word, then put the rest in order and add a full stop.

  1. Find the word that starts the sentence. It starts with a capital letter.
    The
  2. Put the words in order. Read the sentence aloud as you go.
    The cat is on the mat.
  3. Add the end mark. A sentence ends with a full stop.
    The cat is on the mat.
  4. Write the answer.
    The cat is on the mat.

Check. Read it again: The cat is on the mat.. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Start with a capital letter. End with a full stop.

Worked example 9.4.2
Put these words in the right order to make a sentence: red / dad / has / hat / a. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.

Method. Find the first word, then put the rest in order and add a full stop.

  1. Find the word that starts the sentence. It starts with a capital letter.
    Dad
  2. Put the words in order. Read the sentence aloud as you go.
    Dad has a red hat.
  3. Add the end mark. A sentence ends with a full stop.
    Dad has a red hat.
  4. Write the answer.
    Dad has a red hat.

Check. Read it again: Dad has a red hat.. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Start with a capital letter. End with a full stop.

Worked example 9.4.3
Put these words in the right order to make a sentence: sun / the / is / hot. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.

Method. Find the first word, then put the rest in order and add a full stop.

  1. Find the word that starts the sentence. It starts with a capital letter.
    The
  2. Put the words in order. Read the sentence aloud as you go.
    The sun is hot.
  3. Add the end mark. A sentence ends with a full stop.
    The sun is hot.
  4. Write the answer.
    The sun is hot.

Check. Read it again: The sun is hot.. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Start with a capital letter. End with a full stop.

Watch out

Watch out: the first word starts with a capital letter, and the sentence ends with a full stop.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write the words on cards. Move them around until the sentence sounds right when read aloud.

Exercise 9D  Practice: putting the words in order

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ go to the park. A can B to C the Choose A, B or C.
2
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: is / bug / leg / the / a / on. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
3
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: mum / has / mug / a. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
4
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: can / get / ben / red / cup / the. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
5
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: go / the / park / to / we. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
6
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: the / I / tent / am / in. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
7
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: has / ten / pins / tom. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
8
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: the / is / in / the / pig / mud. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
9
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: a / on / ant / the / map / is. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
10
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: pot / and / a / has / a / pan / she. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
11
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: the / dig / dad / can / mud / in. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
12
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: red / the / is / bus. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
13
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: mum / and / hug / Dad / the / can / dog / big. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Read a short lineRead every word from left to right, then match the picture
Read a sentenceRead the whole sentence first, then compare it with the picture
Capital letter and full stopCheck the first letter and the last mark
Put the words in orderFind the word that starts the sentence, then read it aloud

Can you…?

  • I can read a short line of two or three words
  • I can read a sentence and find the picture it describes
  • I can start a sentence with a capital letter and end it with a full stop
  • I can put the words of a sentence back in the right order

Key terms

sentence
a group of words that tells a whole idea, with a capital letter and a full stop
capital letter
a big letter, such as T or D, used at the start of a sentence
full stop
the dot at the end of a sentence

Exercise 9Z  Check-up

1
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Red hat. B Big bus. C Hot sun. Choose A, B or C.
2
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The cat sat on the mat. B The dog is in the hut. C Dad has a red hat. Choose A, B or C.
3
Which line is written correctly? A the sun is hot B The sun is hot. Choose A or B.
4
Put these words in the right order to make a sentence: red / dad / has / hat / a. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
5
Put these words in the right order to make a sentence: the / is / in / the / pig / mud. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
6
Which line is written correctly? A We go to the park. B we go to the park Choose A or B.
7
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ run to the big bus. A can B the C to Choose A, B or C.
8
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Big mug. B Red bed. C Hot pan. Choose A, B or C.
9
Put these words in the right order to make a sentence: has / ten / pins / tom. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
10
Which line is written correctly? A dad can dig in the mud B Dad can dig in the mud. Choose A or B.

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 9X  Practice test questions

1
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A A hen sat on a nest. B The sun is hot. C Mum has a mug. Choose A, B or C.[2 marks]
2
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The ant is on a map. B The cat is on a bed. C Mum has a mug. Choose A, B or C.[2 marks]
3
RWhich line is written correctly? A the bug is on a leg B The bug is on a leg. Choose A or B.[2 marks]
4
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: pot / and / a / has / a / pan / she. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.[2 marks]
5
RWhich line is written correctly? A Ben can get the red cup. B ben can get the red cup Choose A or B.[2 marks]
6
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Big cat. B Red bus. C Hot pan. Choose A, B or C.[2 marks]
7
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ hug the big dog. A can B the C to Choose A, B or C.[2 marks]
8
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: the / I / tent / am / in. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.[2 marks]
9
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Hot pan. B Big hen. C Red bed. Choose A, B or C.[2 marks]
10
RWhich line is written correctly? A the ant is on a map B The ant is on a map. Choose A or B.[2 marks]
← Chapter 8: Tricky words: my, you, they, all, are, was, herChapter 10: Level 1 check →

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