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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 1Chapter 10 · Level 1 check
Level 1 · Chapter 10

Level 1 check

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can say and find the sounds for the letters I have learned
  • I can read, blend and spell short words
  • I can read the tricky words by sight
  • I can read and build short sentences

You should already know

  • Chapters 1 to 9 of Level 1

Where this leads

  • Level 2: letter sounds for the rest of the alphabet, including sh, ch, th and ng (next level)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Answer letter-sound questions from Chapters 1 to 3, Read and spell CVC words, and blend short words, from Chapters 4 to 6, Read tricky words by sight, from Chapters 7 and 8, Read short sentences and put words in order, from Chapter 9.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter makes the sound /t/ at the start of tin? Choose t, p or s. A s B t C p Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich word has the short /u/ sound in the middle? Choose bed, bus or big. A bed B big C bus Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich letter does the word mug start with? Choose from: m, g, u
4
FWhich tricky word completes this? I ___ a cat. Choose my, I or he. A my B he C I Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich line starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop? Choose the cat sat. or The cat sat. A The cat sat. B the cat sat. Choose A, B or C.
10.1

Review: letter sounds

Level 1
Say and find the sounds of the letters from Chapters 1 to 3
Video lesson: Review: letter soundsComing soon

This section reviews the letters you have learned so far: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, e, u, r, h, b, f and l.

For each picture, find the first letter of its name. For each letter, find the picture that starts with its sound.

Key ideas

  • Look at the first letter of each picture name.
  • c and k can both make /k/.
  • Take each letter slowly.
Worked example 10.1.1
Which picture starts with the sound /s/? Look at the first letter of each name.potsunrug

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.
    pot: p sun: s rug: r
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /s/. That is the picture you need.
    sun starts with s
  3. Write the answer.
    sun

Check. Only sun starts with s. ✓

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

Worked example 10.1.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, t, s

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

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

Check. s is the first letter of sun. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 10.1.3
Sam says that sun starts with a. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.sun

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

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

Check. sun begins with s. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: a picture can look easy but start with a different letter. Check the first letter, not the picture alone.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say each sound and point to the letter. Praise each correct sound.

Exercise 10A  Practice: review: letter sounds

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /m/? Look at the first letter of each name.
muglampbug
2
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, m
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /b/? Look at the first letter of each name.
mapbushen
4
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: b, s, a
5
FWhich picture starts with the sound /f/? Look at the first letter of each name.
fantoppot
6
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, f
7
FWhich picture starts with the sound /e/? Look at the first letter of each name.
cupiglooegg
8
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: e, s, a
9
FWhich picture starts with the sound /u/? Look at the first letter of each name.
upenvelopebat
10
RSam says that mug starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
mug
11
RSam says that bus starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
bus
12
RSam says that fan starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
fan
13
RSam says that egg starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
egg
10.2

Review: short words and blending

Level 1
Read, blend and spell CVC words, Find the middle vowel
Video lesson: Review: short words and blendingComing soon

Short words have three letters: a consonant, a vowel and a consonant. Blend the sounds to read them.

To spell a picture name, put its letters in order, one for each sound.

Key ideas

  • Read every letter.
  • Join the sounds to blend.
  • Spell from the first sound to the last.
Worked example 10.2.1
Read the word: cat. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the word from the left. Sound out each letter, then join the sounds.
    c - a - t
  2. Look at each picture. Find the picture with that name.
    cat = picture C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. The other pictures show different names: tin, mug. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Worked example 10.2.2
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, g, i

Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    pig
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    p - i - g
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    pig
  4. Write the answer.
    pig

Check. Read the letters back: p - i - g. They make pig. ✓

Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.

Worked example 10.2.3
Blend the first two letters: b - u makes bu. Now add the last letter, s. Which word is it? A bus B net C pig Choose A, B or C.

Method. Blend the first two letters, then add the last one.

  1. Blend the first two letters. Join the two sounds into one.
    bu
  2. Add the last letter. Join the last sound on the end.
    bus
  3. Find the matching word. Choice A is bus.
    bus = choice A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the whole word again: bus. ✓

Watch out. Add the last letter at the end. Do not change the first two.

Watch out

Watch out: blend the whole word, not only the first two sounds. Then check the last letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Let the child point to each letter while blending. Ask for the middle letter first.

Exercise 10B  Practice: review: short words and blending

1
FRead the word: mug. Does the picture show mug? Answer yes or no.
2
FBlend the letters: h - e - n. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
3
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: e, b, d
4
FBlend the first two letters: p - e makes pe. Now add the last letter, n. Which word is it? A pen B map C hen Choose A, B or C.
5
FRead the word: dog. Does the picture show dog? Answer yes or no.
6
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, o, m
7
FBlend the letters: b - u - s. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
8
FBlend the first two letters: h - u makes hu. Now add the last letter, t. Which word is it? A hut B hen C bus Choose A, B or C.
9
FRead the word: hen. Does the picture show hen? Answer yes or no.
10
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: g, r, u
11
PSThe word cat has the middle letter a. Which word has the same middle letter? A pin B hat C dog Choose A, B or C.
12
PSThe word dog has the middle letter o. Which word has the same middle letter? A hat B log C cup Choose A, B or C.
13
PSThe word bed has the middle letter e. Which word has the same middle letter? A pen B bus C mop Choose A, B or C.
10.3

Review: tricky words and sentences

Level 1
Read tricky words by sight, Read and build short sentences
Video lesson: Review: tricky words and sentencesComing soon

Tricky words are learned by sight: the, to, I, no, go, he, she, we, me, be, my, you, they, all, are, was, her.

Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a full stop. Read the whole sentence before you decide.

Key ideas

  • Read the whole sentence first.
  • Check the capital letter and the full stop.
  • Put the words in an order that makes sense.
Worked example 10.3.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Sam has ______ red ball. A the B to C I 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.
    Sam has ______ red ball.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    the / to / I
  3. Pick the word that fits. the is the tricky word that makes the sentence make sense.
    the fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 10.3.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: We walk ______ school together. A the B I C to 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.
    We walk ______ school together.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    the / I / to
  3. Pick the word that fits. to is the tricky word that makes the sentence make sense.
    to fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

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

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

Worked example 10.3.3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ like to read books. A to B the C I 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.
    ______ like to read books.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    to / the / I
  3. Pick the word that fits. I is the tricky word that makes the sentence make sense.
    I fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

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

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

Watch out

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

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read the tricky words aloud for the child. Then ask the child to read the whole sentence alone.

Exercise 10C  Practice: review: tricky words and sentences

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: There is ______ milk left. A go B no C he Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Give the box to ______. A me B be C we Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Put ______ the toys in the box. A her B are C all Choose A, B or C.
4
FFind the word my in this list. A my B by C mum Choose A, B or C.
5
FFind the word they in this list. A then B them C they Choose A, B or C.
6
FFind the word was in this list. A saw B wax C was Choose A, B or C.
7
PSLook 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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
RWhich line is written correctly? A the sun is hot B The sun is hot. Choose A or B.
14
RWhich line is written correctly? A dad has a red hat B Dad has a red hat. Choose A or B.
10.4

The Level 1 check

Level 1
Answer 20 questions on Chapters 1 to 9, Score 16 or more out of 20
Video lesson: The Level 1 checkComing soon

The check has 20 questions, one mark each. They come from Chapters 1 to 9.

The questions use pictures, letters, written words and short sentences. Nothing is checked by sound.

Take the check on your own. Then check the answers together, and look at any question you missed.

Pass mark: 16 out of 20. This pass mark is an assumption in the plan, and the supervisor has not yet confirmed it.

Next: Level 2, which teaches the rest of the alphabet, including sh, ch, th and ng.

Key ideas

  • The check has 20 questions, one mark each.
  • A score of 16 or more out of 20 is a pass (assumed).
  • Questions come from every chapter in Level 1.
  • Read every question and every choice.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read the instructions aloud if the child needs help. Do not give hints during the check. Use the answers afterwards to see which chapter to practise again.

Watch out

Watch out: a score below 16 is not a failure. Go back to the chapter with most mistakes and practise it again.

Worked example 10.4.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Sam has ______ red ball. A the B to C I 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.
    Sam has ______ red ball.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    the / to / I
  3. Pick the word that fits. the is the tricky word that makes the sentence make sense.
    the fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 10.4.2
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 10.4.3
Read the word: mat. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the word from the left. Sound out each letter, then join the sounds.
    m - a - t
  2. Look at each picture. Find the picture with that name.
    mat = picture C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. The other pictures show different names: net, rug. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Sounds of the lettersLook at the first letter and say the sound
Short wordsRead every letter, blend the sounds, check the middle vowel
Tricky wordsLearn them by sight; read the whole sentence first
SentencesCapital letter at the start, full stop at the end, words in order

Can you…?

  • I can say the sounds for the letters I have learned
  • I can read, blend and spell short words
  • I can read the tricky words by sight
  • I can read and build short sentences
  • I have taken the Level 1 check and scored 16 or more (assumed pass mark)

Key terms

check
a set of questions that shows what you have learned
pass mark
the score you need to move on; here 16 out of 20 (assumed)
Level 2
the next step, with more sounds and words

Exercise 10Z  Check-up

1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I can see ______ dog. A to B the C I Choose A, B or C.
2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: We go ______ the park. A to B I C the Choose A, B or C.
3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ like jam, please. A to B I C the Choose A, B or C.
4
Find the word he in this list. A we B be C he Choose A, B or C.
5
Find the word she in this list. A me B she C we Choose A, B or C.
6
Read the word: dog. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, c, u
8
Blend the first two letters: p - i makes pi. Now add the last letter, g. Which word is it? A pig B map C hat Choose A, B or C.
9
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.
10
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.

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 10X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /s/? Look at the first letter of each name.[1 mark]
potsunrug
2
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, t, s[1 mark]
3
FWhich picture starts with the sound /e/? Look at the first letter of each name.[1 mark]
cupiglooegg
4
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: e, s, a[1 mark]
5
FRead the word: bed. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
6
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, c, u[1 mark]
7
FBlend the first two letters: m - u makes mu. Now add the last letter, g. Which word is it? A mug B cup C bus Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
8
PSThe word bus has the middle letter u. Which word has the same middle letter? A bug B pin C dog Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
9
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Sam has ______ red ball. A the B to C I Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
10
FFind the word the in this list. A to B the C no Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
11
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We walk ______ school together. A the B I C to Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
12
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.[1 mark]
13
RWhich line is written correctly? A Ben can get the red cup. B ben can get the red cup Choose A or B.[1 mark]
14
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.[1 mark]
15
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Give the box to ______. A me B be C we Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
16
FFind the word was in this list. A saw B wax C was Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
17
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: g, r, u[1 mark]
18
FBlend the first two letters: b - e makes be. Now add the last letter, d. Which word is it? A bed B cup C dog Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
19
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A Hot sun. B Big bus. C Red hat. Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
20
FRead the word: pin. Does the picture show pin? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
← Chapter 9: Reading short sentences

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