Step-by-step English Level 2: The letters qu
Part of the Step-by-step English Level 2 letter sounds: j, v, w, x, y, z, qu chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
The letters qu
The letters qu go together and make the sound /kw/, as in queen, quilt and quiz.
Always write q and u together. A q is always followed by a u in these words.
To spell a picture name, put its letters in order, one for each sound.
Key ideas
- qu makes the sound /kw/.
- q and u always go together.
- Spell from the first sound to the last.
Method. Find the name with the letters in the right place.
- Read the name under each picture. Look for the letters at the start.A: bug B: queen C: dog
- Find the name that starts with qu. Only one name has these letters in that place.queen = picture B
- Write the answer. B
Check. queen has qu at the start. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole name, then check where the letters are.
Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.queen
- Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.qu - ee - n
- Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.queen
- Write the answer. queen
Check. Read the letters back: qu - ee - n. They make queen. ✓
Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.
Method. Find the name with the letters in the right place.
- Read the name under each picture. Look for the letters at the start.A: ink B: pan C: quilt
- Find the name that starts with qu. Only one name has these letters in that place.quilt = picture C
- Write the answer. C
Check. quilt has qu at the start. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole name, then check where the letters are.
Watch out
Watch out: q on its own is not the sound. Look for the pair q and u.Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Say "kw" for qu, as in queen. Ask the child to find q and u in each word.
Exercise 1D Practice: the letters qu
Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.quilt
- Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.qu - i - l - t
- Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.quilt
- Write the answer. quilt
Check. Read the letters back: qu - i - l - t. They make quilt. ✓
Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.
Method. Find the name with the letters in the right place.
- Read the name under each picture. Look for the letters at the start.A: sock B: wig C: quiz
- Find the name that starts with qu. Only one name has these letters in that place.quiz = picture C
- Write the answer. C
Check. quiz has qu at the start. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole name, then check where the letters are.
Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.quiz
- Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.qu - i - z
- Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.quiz
- Write the answer. quiz
Check. Read the letters back: qu - i - z. They make quiz. ✓
Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.