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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 3 · Consonant digraphs: th and ng
Step-by-step English Level 2 · Consonant digraphs: th and ng · Lesson 3.1

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

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

3.1

The sound th

Level 2
Say the sound for th, as in thin, bath and moth, Find the picture whose name has th

The letters t and h together make one sound: /th/. Put your tongue between your teeth, and blow softly.

In moth, the sounds are m, o and th. That is three sounds, not four.

In bath and path, the same sound comes at the end of the word.

Key ideas

  • th is two letters but one sound.
  • moth has three sounds: m, o, th.
  • Use the sound th in thin, bath and moth.
  • Do not split th into t and h.
Worked example 3.1.1
Which picture name starts with the letters th? Look at the letters, not the picture.mothAinkBtentC

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: moth B: ink C: tent
  2. Find the name that starts with th. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    moth = picture A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. moth has th at the start. ✓

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

Worked example 3.1.2
How many sounds are in moth? A pair like th counts as one sound. A 2 B 3 C 4 Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    2 / 3 / 4
  2. Find the one that fits. moth is m - o - th: 3 sounds. th is one sound.
    3 is choice B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

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

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 3.1.3
Which picture name starts with the letters th? Look at the letters, not the picture.ratAbathBcupC

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: rat B: bath C: cup
  2. Find the name that starts with th. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    bath = picture B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. bath has th at the start. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: bat and bath look alike. The word bath ends with th, but bat ends with t.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to put the tongue between the teeth and blow for th. Keep it soft and quiet. Point to th in each name.

Exercise 3A  Practice: the sound th

1
FHow many sounds are in bath? A pair like th counts as one sound. A 4 B 3 C 2 Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich picture name starts with the letters th? Look at the letters, not the picture.
pathApenBshipC
3
FHow many sounds are in path? A pair like th counts as one sound. A 3 B 2 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich pair of letters ends the word bath? Choose th, ng or nk. A nk B ng C th Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich pair of letters begins the word thin? Choose sh, th or ch. A th B ch C sh Choose A, B or C.
6
FRead the word: moth. Does the picture show moth? Answer yes or no.
7
FRead the word: bath. Does the picture show bath? Answer yes or no.
8
FRead the word: path. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC

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