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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 1 · Letter sounds: j, v, w, x, y, z, qu
Level 2 · Chapter 1

Letter sounds: j, v, w, x, y, z, qu

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can say the sound for j, v, w, x, y, z and qu
  • I can find the picture whose name starts with the sound I need
  • I can find the letter that a word ends with (box ends in x)
  • I can spell a short picture name in order

You should already know

  • Letter sounds from Level 1: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, e, u, r, h, b, f, l

Where this leads

  • Consonant digraphs sh and ch (Chapter 2)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 2). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Say the sound for each of the letters j, v, w, x, y, z and qu, Find the picture whose name starts with a given sound, Find the letter that a picture name starts or ends with, Spell a picture name from its letters.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich letter makes the sound /m/ at the start of mug? Choose m, n or b. A b B m C n Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich word has the short /i/ sound in the middle? Choose hut, pin or cup. A hut B cup C pin Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich letter does the word lamp start with? Choose from: l, m, a
4
FWhich letter makes the short sound /e/ as in egg? Choose a, e or o. A e B a C o Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich tricky word completes this? I can ___ a bus. Choose he, we or I. A I B we C he Choose A, B or C.
1.1

The sounds of j and v

Level 2
Say the sounds for j and v, Find the picture whose name starts with the sound
Video lesson: The sounds of j and vComing soon

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.
Worked example 1.1.1
Which picture starts with the sound /j/? Look at the first letter of each name.jamlamppan

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    jam: j lamp: l pan: p
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /j/. That is the picture you need.
    jam starts with j
  3. Write the answer.
    jam

Check. Only jam starts with j. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.

Worked example 1.1.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: j, s, a

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    jam
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    jam starts with j
  3. Write the answer.
    j

Check. j is the first letter of jam. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 1.1.3
Which picture starts with the sound /j/? Look at the first letter of each name.henjug?quiz

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    hen: h jug: j quiz: q
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /j/. That is the picture you need.
    jug starts with j
  3. 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

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: j, s, a
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /j/? Look at the first letter of each name.
tapjetwand
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: j, s, a
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /v/? Look at the first letter of each name.
catpigvan
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: v, a, s
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /v/? Look at the first letter of each name.
batvestwig
7
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: v, s, a
8
FWhich picture starts with the sound /v/? Look at the first letter of each name.
nutbatvase
9
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, v, s
10
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
jamjugvan
11
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
vanvestjam
12
RSam says that jam starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
jam
13
RSam says that van starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
van
1.2

The sounds of w and x

Level 2
Say the sounds for w and x, Find the letter that a word ends with
Video lesson: The sounds of w and xComing soon

The letter w makes the sound /w/, as in web and wig. Round your lips to say it.

The letter x is different. It usually comes at the end of a short word, as in box, fox and six. It makes the sounds /ks/ together.

Look at the last letter of a word for x.

Key ideas

  • w makes the sound /w/, as in web and wig.
  • x comes at the end of box, fox and six.
  • Look at the last letter to find x.
  • The sound of x is two sounds joined: /k/ and /s/.
Worked example 1.2.1
Which picture starts with the sound /w/? Look at the first letter of each name.websixpen

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    web: w six: s pen: p
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /w/. That is the picture you need.
    web starts with w
  3. Write the answer.
    web

Check. Only web starts with w. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.

Worked example 1.2.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: w, s, a

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    web
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    web starts with w
  3. Write the answer.
    w

Check. w is the first letter of web. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 1.2.3
Which picture starts with the sound /w/? Look at the first letter of each name.wigbussix

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    wig: w bus: b six: s
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /w/. That is the picture you need.
    wig starts with w
  3. Write the answer.
    wig

Check. Only wig starts with w. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.

Watch out

Watch out: x is not usually at the start of a word. Look for it at the end.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say "wuh" with rounded lips for w. For x, say "ks" as in fox. Ask the child to point to the last letter of box.

Exercise 1B  Practice: the sounds of w and x

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, w
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /w/? Look at the first letter of each name.
duckwandgift
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, w, a
4
FWhich picture name ends with the letters x? Look at the letters, not the picture.
boxAbugBcowC
5
FWhich letter does the word box end with? Choose from: s, x, a
6
FWhich picture name ends with the letters x? Look at the letters, not the picture.
foxAtopBquiltC
7
FWhich letter does the word fox end with? Choose from: x, s, a
8
FWhich picture name ends with the letters x? Look at the letters, not the picture.
sixAhatBbusC
9
FWhich letter does the word six end with? Choose from: x, s, a
10
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
webwigjam
11
RSam says that web starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
web
1.3

The sounds of y and z

Level 2
Say the sounds for y and z, Find the picture whose name starts with the sound
Video lesson: The sounds of y and zComing soon

The letter y makes the sound /y/, as in yam, yak and yo-yo.

The letter z makes the sound /z/, as in zip and zebra. It buzzes, like a bee.

Read the first letter of each name, then choose the picture that matches the sound.

Key ideas

  • y makes the sound /y/, as in yam and yak.
  • z makes the sound /z/, as in zip and zebra.
  • Look at the first letter of each name.
  • Say /z/ with a buzz, like a bee.
Worked example 1.3.1
Which picture starts with the sound /y/? Look at the first letter of each name.bathenyam

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    bat: b hen: h yam: y
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /y/. That is the picture you need.
    yam starts with y
  3. Write the answer.
    yam

Check. Only yam starts with y. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.

Worked example 1.3.2
Look at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: s, y, a

Method. Say the name, then pick its first letter.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Find its first sound.
    yam
  2. Find the first letter of the name. The first letter stands for the first sound.
    yam starts with y
  3. Write the answer.
    y

Check. y is the first letter of yam. ✓

Watch out. Use the first letter only.

Worked example 1.3.3
Which picture starts with the sound /y/? Look at the first letter of each name.sockyakzero

Method. Find the picture whose name starts with the right letter.

  1. Look at the first letter of each name. The first letter gives the first sound.
    sock: s yak: y zero: z
  2. Find the name that starts with the sound /y/. That is the picture you need.
    yak starts with y
  3. Write the answer.
    yak

Check. Only yak starts with y. ✓

Watch out. Look at the start of each name, not the end.

Watch out

Watch out: zero starts with z but it is a number. Read the name, not the number shape.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Let the child buzz for z and say "yuh" for y. Point to each letter in the picture name.

Exercise 1C  Practice: the sounds of y and z

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: y, a, s
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /y/? Look at the first letter of each name.
yo-yopigtin
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: y, a, s
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /z/? Look at the first letter of each name.
henzipdog
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: z, s, a
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /z/? Look at the first letter of each name.
fishzebracat
7
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: z, a, s
8
FWhich picture starts with the sound /z/? Look at the first letter of each name.
zerojugmug
9
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, z
10
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
yamyakjam
11
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
zipzebrajam
12
RSam says that yam starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
yam
13
RSam says that zip starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
zip
1.4

The letters qu

Level 2
Say the sound for qu, Spell a picture name from its letters
Video lesson: The letters quComing soon

The letters qu go together and make the sound /kw/, as in queen, quilt and quiz.

Always write q and u together. A q is always followed by a u in these words.

To spell a picture name, put its letters in order, one for each sound.

Key ideas

  • qu makes the sound /kw/.
  • q and u always go together.
  • Spell from the first sound to the last.
Worked example 1.4.1
Which picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.bugAqueenBdogC

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: bug B: queen C: dog
  2. Find the name that starts with qu. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    queen = picture B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. queen has qu at the start. ✓

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

Worked example 1.4.2
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, e, q, u, e

Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    queen
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    qu - ee - n
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    queen
  4. Write the answer.
    queen

Check. Read the letters back: qu - ee - n. They make queen. ✓

Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.

Worked example 1.4.3
Which picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.inkApanBquiltC

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: ink B: pan C: quilt
  2. Find the name that starts with qu. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    quilt = picture C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. quilt has qu at the start. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: q on its own is not the sound. Look for the pair q and u.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say "kw" for qu, as in queen. Ask the child to find q and u in each word.

Exercise 1D  Practice: the letters qu

1
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: i, q, l, u, t
2
FWhich picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.
sockAwigB?quizC
3
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: q, i, z, u
?
1.5

Mixed review: j, v, w, x, y, z, qu

Level 2
Use all seven new letters, Choose the letter or picture that fits
Video lesson: Mixed review: j, v, w, x, y, z, quComing soon

This section mixes all seven letters from this chapter. Look carefully at each picture name.

For x, look at the end. For the others, look at the start.

Key ideas

  • Look at the start of a name for j, v, w, y, z and qu.
  • Look at the end of a name for x.
  • Read the name before you choose.
Worked example 1.5.1
Which picture name starts with the letters y? Look at the letters, not the picture.cupAyakBsixC

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

Check. yak has y at the start. ✓

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

Worked example 1.5.2
Which letter does the word six end with? Choose from: x, i, s, k

Method. Read the word, then find its last letter.

  1. Read the word from the left. Go to the last letter.
    six: last letter = x
  2. Check the end. Only the last letter is needed here.
    x ends six
  3. Write the answer.
    x

Check. Cover the rest: x is the last letter. ✓

Watch out. The last letter is at the right-hand end of the word.

Worked example 1.5.3
Which picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.sockAwigB?quizC

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: sock B: wig C: quiz
  2. Find the name that starts with qu. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    quiz = picture C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. quiz has qu at the start. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: a picture can look like another word. Check the first letter of its name, or the last letter for x.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say each sound before choosing. Praise the careful answers, not only the fast ones.

Exercise 1E  Practice: mixed review: j, v, w, x, y, z, qu

1
FWhich picture starts with the sound /w/? Look at the first letter of each name.
wigbussix
2
FWhich letter does the word fox end with? Choose from: x, f, o
3
FWhich picture name starts with the letters z? Look at the letters, not the picture.
topAzebraBvaseC
4
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: j, g, u
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: v, e, t, s
6
FWhich letter does the word box end with? Choose from: z, b, o, x
7
FRead the word: van. Does the picture show van? Answer yes or no.
8
FRead the word: web. Does the picture show web? Answer yes or no.
9
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
jamjugzip
10
RSam says that quilt starts with k. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
quilt
11
RSam says that yam starts with j. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
yam

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Sounds of j, v, w, y, zLook at the first letter of the picture name and say its sound
Sound of xLook for x at the end of a short word, as in box
The letters quAlways write q and u together, sound /kw/
Spell a picture nameWrite the letters in the order of the sounds

Can you…?

  • I can say the sound for each of j, v, w, x, y, z and qu
  • I can find the picture whose name starts with a given sound
  • I can find the letter that a word ends with, such as x in box
  • I can spell a short picture name in order

Key terms

digraph
two or more letters that make one sound, such as sh
qu
two letters that make the sound /kw/, as in queen
first letter
the letter on the left of a word
last letter
the letter on the right of a word

Exercise 1Z  Check-up

1
Which picture name starts with the letters j? Look at the letters, not the picture.
wigAvanBjugC
2
Which letter does the word fox end with? Choose from: o, z, f, x
3
Which picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.
bugAqueenBdogC
4
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: i, z, p
5
Read the word: yak. Does the picture show yak? Answer yes or no.
6
Which picture name starts with the letters v? Look at the letters, not the picture.
zeroAvaseBquiltC
7
Which letter does the word six end with? Choose from: i, s, x
8
Read the word: zebra. Does the picture show zebra? Answer yes or no.
9
Which letter does the picture name yo-yo start with? Choose y, j or z. A z B y C j Choose A, B or C.
10
Sam says that jam starts with z. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
jam

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 1X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich picture name starts with the letters w? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
vanAcatBwebC
2
FWhich letter does the word box end with? Choose from: e, b, o, x[1 mark]
3
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: i, q, l, u, t[1 mark]
4
FWhich picture name ends with the letters x? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
sixAhatBbusC
5
FWhich picture starts with the sound /z/? Look at the first letter of each name.[1 mark]
henzipdog
6
FRead the word: vest. Does the picture show vest? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
7
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: y, m, a[1 mark]
8
FWhich picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
sockAwigB?quizC
9
FWhich letter does the word fox end with? Choose from: x, f, o[1 mark]
10
FWhich letter does the word vase start with? Choose v, w or u. A w B v C u Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
Chapter 2: Consonant digraphs: sh and ch →

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