Step-by-step English Level 2: The sounds of j and v
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 sounds of j and v
Some letters are not often used at the start of a word, so you need to learn them well.
The letter j makes the sound /j/, as in jam and jug.
The letter v makes the sound /v/, as in van and vest. Keep your top teeth on your bottom lip.
Look at the first letter of each picture name.
Key ideas
- j makes the sound /j/, as in jam and jug.
- v makes the sound /v/, as in van and vest.
- The first letter of a picture name gives the first sound.
- Say each sound short and clear.
Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.
- Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.jam: j lamp: l pan: p
- Find the name that starts with the sound /j/. That is the picture you need.jam starts with j
- Write the answer. jam
Check. Only jam starts with j. ✓
Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.
Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.jam
- Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.jam starts with j
- Write the answer. j
Check. j is the first letter of jam. ✓
Watch out. Use the first letter only.
Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.
- Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.hen: h jug: j quiz: q
- Find the name that starts with the sound /j/. That is the picture you need.jug starts with j
- Write the answer. jug
Check. Only jug starts with j. ✓
Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.
Watch out
Watch out: jet and jug both start with j. Check the first letter, not the picture alone.Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Say the sounds aloud: "jjj" as in jam, and "vvv" as in van. Point to the letter, then the picture.
Exercise 1A Practice: the sounds of j and v
Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.jug
- Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.jug starts with j
- Write the answer. j
Check. j is the first letter of jug. ✓
Watch out. Use the first letter only.
Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.
- Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.tap: t jet: j wand: w
- Find the name that starts with the sound /j/. That is the picture you need.jet starts with j
- Write the answer. jet
Check. Only jet starts with j. ✓
Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.
Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.jet
- Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.jet starts with j
- Write the answer. j
Check. j is the first letter of jet. ✓
Watch out. Use the first letter only.
Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.
- Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.cat: c pig: p van: v
- Find the name that starts with the sound /v/. That is the picture you need.van starts with v
- Write the answer. van
Check. Only van starts with v. ✓
Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.
Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.van
- Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.van starts with v
- Write the answer. v
Check. v is the first letter of van. ✓
Watch out. Use the first letter only.
Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.
- Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.bat: b vest: v wig: w
- Find the name that starts with the sound /v/. That is the picture you need.vest starts with v
- Write the answer. vest
Check. Only vest starts with v. ✓
Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.
Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.vest
- Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.vest starts with v
- Write the answer. v
Check. v is the first letter of vest. ✓
Watch out. Use the first letter only.
Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.
- Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.nut: n bat: b vase: v
- Find the name that starts with the sound /v/. That is the picture you need.vase starts with v
- Write the answer. vase
Check. Only vase starts with v. ✓
Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.
Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.
- Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.vase
- Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.vase starts with v
- Write the answer. v
Check. v is the first letter of vase. ✓
Watch out. Use the first letter only.
Method. Compare the first letters, then find the one that is different.
- Look at the first letter of each name. Find the letter that is different.jam: j jug: j van: v
- Find the one that is different. The others all start with the same letter.van is different
- Write the answer. van
Check. The others start with j. ✓
Watch out. Ignore the rest of each word. Compare only the first letters.
Method. Compare the first letters, then find the one that is different.
- Look at the first letter of each name. Find the letter that is different.van: v vest: v jam: j
- Find the one that is different. The others all start with the same letter.jam is different
- Write the answer. jam
Check. The others start with v. ✓
Watch out. Ignore the rest of each word. Compare only the first letters.
Method. Find the first letter, then check Sam's claim.
- Say the word slowly. Look at the first letter.jam
- Find the first letter. The first letter gives the first sound.first letter = j
- Compare with what Sam said. The two letters must match.s is not j
- Write the answer. No, jam starts with j.
Check. jam begins with j. ✓
Watch out. Look at the first letter, not a letter in the middle.
Method. Find the first letter, then check Sam's claim.
- Say the word slowly. Look at the first letter.van
- Find the first letter. The first letter gives the first sound.first letter = v
- Compare with what Sam said. The two letters must match.s is not v
- Write the answer. No, van starts with v.
Check. van begins with v. ✓
Watch out. Look at the first letter, not a letter in the middle.