Step-by-step English Level 2 · Tricky words: said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, what, when · Lesson 8.5

Step-by-step English Level 2: what and when

Part of the Step-by-step English Level 2 tricky words: said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, what, when chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

8.5

what and when

Level 2
Read what and when on sight, Tell apart when and then

The word what is a tricky word. It is read as /wot/, with a short o sound. The a is silent.

The word when is a tricky word. It asks about a time. It is not the same as then, which means next or at that time.

Read the whole sentence before you choose.

Key ideas

what is read on sight: /wot/.
when asks about a time.
then means next, or at that time.

Worked example 8.5.1

Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is your name? A Then B When C What Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
______ is your name?
Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
Then / When / What
Pick the word that fits. What asks for a thing or a name.
What fits
Write the answer.
C

Check. Read the sentence with What in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.5.2

Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ will the bus come? A What B When C Then Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the sentence with each choice in the gap.

Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
______ will the bus come?
Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
What / When / Then
Pick the word that fits. When asks about a time.
When fits
Write the answer.
B

Check. Read the sentence with When in the gap. It makes sense. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole sentence with your choice in the gap.

Worked example 8.5.3

Read the word on the card: what. Which word is the same? A what B wand C want Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read the card, then find the same word on the list.

Read the card. Read the whole word.
what
Find the same word. what is the same word on the card.
what = choice A
Write the answer.
A

Check. Both words read what. ✓

Watch out. Look at every letter. Tricky words do not follow the usual sounds.

Watch out

Watch out: when and then look alike. When asks about a time. Then means next.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: "Is it asking about a time?" If yes, use when. If it means next, use then.

Exercise 8E Practice: what and when

FRead the word on the card: when. Which word is the same? A when B then C wren Choose A, B or C.

Done

FChoose the word that completes the sentence: First we eat, ______ we play. A when B what C then Choose A, B or C.

Done

FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Tell me ______ you are ready. A then B what C when Choose A, B or C.

Done

FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is that noise? A When B Then C What Choose A, B or C.

Done

FWhich word means next? Choose when, then or what. A when B then C what Choose A, B or C.

Done

FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ did we arrive at school? A What B Then C When Choose A, B or C.

Done

FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I ate my lunch, ______ I went out. A when B what C then Choose A, B or C.

Done

FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is for tea? A Then B When C What Choose A, B or C.

Done

FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We will go ______ it stops raining. A what B when C then Choose A, B or C.

Done