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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 2.2

Step-by-step English Level 2: The sound ch

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

2.2

The sound ch

Level 2
Say that ch makes one sound, Find the picture whose name starts with ch

The letters c and h together make one sound: /ch/, as in chin and chest.

Look at chest. The sounds are ch, e, s, t. It has four sounds.

Do not read ch as /c/ and /h/. It is one sound on its own.

Key ideas

  • ch is two letters but one sound.
  • chest has four sounds: ch, e, s, t.
  • Look for the letters ch together at the start of the name.
  • ch and sh are different sounds.
Worked example 2.2.1
Which picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.appleArugBchinC

Method. Find the name with the letters in the right place.

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the letters at the start.
    A: apple B: rug C: chin
  2. Find the name that starts with ch. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    chin = picture C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. chin has ch at the start. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole name, then check where the letters are.

Worked example 2.2.2
How many sounds are in chin? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    3 / 4 / 2
  2. Find the one that fits. chin is ch - i - n: 3 sounds. Count the pair as one.
    3 is choice A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read 3 in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 2.2.3
Which picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.pigAchestBzipC

Method. Find the name with the letters in the right place.

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the letters at the start.
    A: pig B: chest C: zip
  2. Find the name that starts with ch. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    chest = picture B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. chest has ch at the start. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole name, then check where the letters are.

Watch out

Watch out: chest and shell look alike, but they start with different letters. Read each one.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say "ch" as in chip: a short puff of air. Ask the child to find ch at the start of each name.

Exercise 2B  Practice: the sound ch

1
FHow many sounds are in chest? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 2 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich two letters begin the word chain? Choose from the list. A sh B ch C th Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich two letters begin the word chin? Choose from the list. A th B sh C ch Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.
zipAchainBpigC
5
FRead the word: chest. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
6
FRead the word: chin. Does the picture show chin? Answer yes or no.
7
FRead the word: chest. Does the picture show chest? Answer yes or no.
8
FWhich picture name starts with the letters sh? Look at the letters, not the picture.
mopAshedBantC
9
FHow many sounds are in chin? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.

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