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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 2 · Consonant digraphs: sh and ch
Step-by-step English Level 2 · Consonant digraphs: sh and ch · Lesson 2.3

Step-by-step English Level 2: Telling sh and ch apart

Part of the Step-by-step English Level 2 consonant digraphs: sh and ch chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

2.3

Telling sh and ch apart

Level 2
Choose sh or ch to start a word, Read the word and find the matching picture

Some words differ only in the first sound. ship starts with sh. chip starts with ch.

Read the whole word before you choose. The first two letters tell you the first sound.

If a word starts with s and h together, choose sh. If it starts with c and h together, choose ch.

Key ideas

  • Read the first two letters together.
  • sh and ch are different sounds.
  • Read the whole word before you choose.
Worked example 2.3.1
Which word starts with sh? Choose from the list. A shop B chop Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    shop / chop
  2. Find the one that fits. shop starts with sh. chop starts with a different sound.
    shop is choice A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read shop in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 2.3.2
Which word starts with ch? Choose from the list. A chin B shin Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    chin / shin
  2. Find the one that fits. chin starts with ch. shin starts with a different sound.
    chin is choice A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read chin in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 2.3.3
Which word starts with sh? Choose from the list. A chip B ship Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    chip / ship
  2. Find the one that fits. ship starts with sh. chip starts with a different sound.
    ship is choice B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read ship in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Watch out

Watch out: a word can look like another word with one letter changed. Read the first two letters together.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to cover everything after the first two letters. Say the first sound together.

Exercise 2C  Practice: telling sh and ch apart

1
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word for a place to buy things? ___op. Choose sh, ch or th. A sh B th C ch Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word for a part of the face? ___in. Choose sh, ch or th. A sh B ch C th Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word for a metal fastener? ___ain. Choose sh, ch or th. A th B ch C sh Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich word starts with ch? Choose from the list. A shed B chest Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich word starts with sh? Choose from the list. A shell B chain Choose A, B or C.
6
FRead the word: chin. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
FWhich two letters begin the word shed? Choose from the list. A ch B th C sh Choose A, B or C.
8
FRead the word: ship. Does the picture show ship? Answer yes or no.
9
FHow many sounds are in chop? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 2 B 3 C 4 Choose A, B or C.

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