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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 4 · Long vowel sounds: ai and ee
Level 2 · Chapter 4

Long vowel sounds: ai and ee

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can say the long sound made by ai and by ee
  • I can find the picture whose name has ai or ee inside it
  • I can choose ai or ee to complete a written word
  • I can find the word with the same long vowel as a model word

You should already know

  • Digraphs sh, ch, th and ng (Chapters 2 and 3)

Where this leads

  • Long vowel sounds oa and igh (Chapter 5)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 2). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Say the long sound made by ai (rain, tail, snail) and ee (tree, bee, sheep), Find the picture for a given vowel pattern, Choose ai or ee to complete a written word, Read a word with the same long vowel as a model word.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich two letters make one sound at the start of ship? Choose sh, ch or th. A th B sh C ch Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich two letters end the word song? Choose ng, nk or th. A ng B th C nk Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich word has the short /e/ sound in the middle? Choose hen, hat or hut. A hut B hen C hat Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich tricky word completes this? I like ___ friend. Choose my, by or he. A my B he C by Choose A, B or C.
5
FHow many sounds are in the word fish? Choose 2, 3 or 4. A 4 B 2 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
4.1

The long sound of ai

Level 2
Say the long sound of ai, as in rain and tail, Find the picture that has ai inside it
Video lesson: The long sound of aiComing soon

When a and i sit together in a word, they make one long sound: /ay/, as in rain.

In rain there are two sounds: r and ai. The letters a and i make one sound together.

Look for the pair ai in the middle or at the end of the word.

Key ideas

  • ai makes one long sound, as in rain.
  • rain has two sounds: r and ai.
  • Look for ai together in the middle of the word.
  • Keep a and i together.
Worked example 4.1.1
Which picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.rainApigBbatC

Method. Find the name that has the two letters together.

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the two letters together.
    A: rain B: pig C: bat
  2. Find the name with ai inside. Only one name has these two letters together.
    rain = picture A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. rain has ai, and the others do not. ✓

Watch out. The two letters make one long vowel sound, so keep them together.

Worked example 4.1.2
How many sounds are in rain? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 2 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    2 / 4 / 3
  2. Find the one that fits. rain is r - ai - n: 3 sounds.
    3 is choice C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

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

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 4.1.3
Which picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.tailAgiftBjugC

Method. Find the name that has the two letters together.

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the two letters together.
    A: tail B: gift C: jug
  2. Find the name with ai inside. Only one name has these two letters together.
    tail = picture A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. tail has ai, and the others do not. ✓

Watch out. The two letters make one long vowel sound, so keep them together.

Watch out

Watch out: ai is not the same as a on its own. In cat, a makes a short sound; in rain, ai makes one long sound.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the long "ay" sound in rain, not the short "a" in cat. Ask the child to find ai in each name.

Exercise 4A  Practice: the long sound of ai

1
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? r__n A ai B oa C ee Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.
sweetAeggBsnailC
3
FHow many sounds are in snail? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 2 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
4
FRead the word: rain. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
FRead the word: train. Does the picture show train? Answer yes or no.
6
FRead the word: sail. Does the picture show sail? Answer yes or no.
4.2

The long sound of ee

Level 2
Say the long sound of ee, as in tree and bee, Find the picture that has ee inside it
Video lesson: The long sound of eeComing soon

When two e letters sit together, they make one long sound: /ee/, as in tree and bee.

In tree there are three sounds: t, r and ee. The two e letters make one sound.

Look for the pair ee in the word, not for a single e.

Key ideas

  • ee makes one long sound, as in tree.
  • tree has three sounds: t, r, ee.
  • Look for two e letters together.
  • Do not read ee as two short e sounds.
Worked example 4.2.1
Which picture name has the letters ee in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.cupAtreeBbathC

Method. Find the name that has the two letters together.

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the two letters together.
    A: cup B: tree C: bath
  2. Find the name with ee inside. Only one name has these two letters together.
    tree = picture B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. tree has ee, and the others do not. ✓

Watch out. The two letters make one long vowel sound, so keep them together.

Worked example 4.2.2
How many sounds are in tree? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 4 B 3 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.
    4 / 3 / 2
  2. Find the one that fits. tree is t - r - ee: 3 sounds.
    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 4.2.3
Which picture name has the letters ee in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.beeAjamBpotC

Method. Find the name that has the two letters together.

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the two letters together.
    A: bee B: jam C: pot
  2. Find the name with ee inside. Only one name has these two letters together.
    bee = picture A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. bee has ee, and the others do not. ✓

Watch out. The two letters make one long vowel sound, so keep them together.

Watch out

Watch out: ee and a short e look alike. Bed has e on its own; bee has two e letters together.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say the long "ee" sound, as in tree. Ask the child to find the two e letters together in each word.

Exercise 4B  Practice: the long sound of ee

1
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? tr__ A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich picture name has the letters ee in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.
sheepAsinkBgoatC
3
FHow many sounds are in sheep? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 2 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
4
FRead the word: bee. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
FRead the word: feet. Does the picture show feet? Answer yes or no.
6
FRead the word: seed. Does the picture show seed? Answer yes or no.
7
FHow many sounds are in feet? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 2 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
8
FRead the word: tree. Does the picture show tree? Answer yes or no.
4.3

Choosing ai or ee in a gap

Level 2
Choose ai or ee to fill a gap, Read the whole word after you choose
Video lesson: Choosing ai or ee in a gapComing soon

Some words need a pair of letters in a gap. Read the word with the gap, then try each pair.

For example, r__n becomes rain with ai. The gap tr__ becomes tree with ee.

Say the word aloud in your head to check it fits.

Key ideas

  • Read the word with the gap.
  • Try each pair of letters.
  • Read the whole word again to check.
Worked example 4.3.1
Which pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? r__n A ai B oa C ee Choose A, B or C.

Method. Try each pair in the gap, then pick the one that makes the word.

  1. Read the word with the gap. Think about the word that fits the gap.
    r__n
  2. Try each pair of letters. rain has ai.
    ai / oa / ee
  3. Pick the pair that makes the word. rain needs ai.
    rain = choice A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Put ai back in the gap: rain. ✓

Watch out. The two letters go together in the gap. Do not split them.

Worked example 4.3.2
Which pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? tr__ A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.

Method. Try each pair in the gap, then pick the one that makes the word.

  1. Read the word with the gap. Think about the word that fits the gap.
    tr__
  2. Try each pair of letters. tree has ee.
    oa / ai / ee
  3. Pick the pair that makes the word. tree needs ee.
    tree = choice C
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Put ee back in the gap: tree. ✓

Watch out. The two letters go together in the gap. Do not split them.

Worked example 4.3.3
Which pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? s__l A ee B oa C ai Choose A, B or C.

Method. Try each pair in the gap, then pick the one that makes the word.

  1. Read the word with the gap. Think about the word that fits the gap.
    s__l
  2. Try each pair of letters. sail has ai.
    ee / oa / ai
  3. Pick the pair that makes the word. sail needs ai.
    sail = choice C
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Put ai back in the gap: sail. ✓

Watch out. The two letters go together in the gap. Do not split them.

Watch out

Watch out: some pairs look alike. Check each letter in the gap against the word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say the whole word with each pair in the gap. Only one will sound right.

Exercise 4C  Practice: choosing ai or ee in a gap

1
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? sh__p A ai B ee C oa Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? n__l A ee B ai C oa Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? f__t A ai B ee C oa Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? sn__l A oa B ee C ai Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? b__ A ee B ai C oa Choose A, B or C.
6
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? tr__n A ai B oa C ee Choose A, B or C.
7
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? s__d A ee B ai C oa Choose A, B or C.
8
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? t__l A oa B ee C ai Choose A, B or C.
9
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? sw__t A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.
4.4

Spelling ai and ee words

Level 2
Spell a picture name with ai or ee, Choose the right spelling
Video lesson: Spelling ai and ee wordsComing soon

To spell a word with ai or ee, write the two letters together.

Spell snail as s, n, ai, l. Spell feet as f, ee, t.

Keep the pair together, then finish the rest of the word.

Key ideas

  • Keep ai together.
  • Keep ee together.
  • Spell from the first sound to the last.
Worked example 4.4.1
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: s, a, n, l, i

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.
    snail
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    s - n - ai - l
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    snail
  4. Write the answer.
    snail

Check. Read the letters back: s - n - ai - l. They make snail. ✓

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

Worked example 4.4.2
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A tale B tail Choose A or B.

Method. Say the name, then check which spelling has the right letters.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    t - ai - l
  2. Check each spelling. Only one spelling uses the right letters.
    tail is right; tale is not
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. tail matches the picture. ✓

Watch out. tale is not a word we use for this picture.

Worked example 4.4.3
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: t, e, e, f

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.
    feet
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    f - ee - t
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    feet
  4. Write the answer.
    feet

Check. Read the letters back: f - ee - t. They make feet. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: ai and ee must stay together. Do not write a and i in separate places.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to write the pair first, then the other letters. Accept neat letters.

Exercise 4D  Practice: spelling ai and ee words

1
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A tree B tre Choose A or B.
2
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: r, a, i, n, t
3
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A sheap B sheep Choose A or B.
4
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: l, i, n, a
5
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A bee B be Choose A or B.
6
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: e, e, s, d
7
FWhich pair of letters goes in the middle of the word sail? Choose ai, ee or oa. A ee B ai C oa Choose A, B or C.
4.5

The same long vowel as a model word

Level 2
Find the word with the same long vowel, Use the model word to check
Video lesson: The same long vowel as a model wordComing soon

A model word shows you a pattern. Find the pattern in it, then find the word that has the same pattern.

In rain, the pattern is ai. The word tail has ai too.

In tree, the pattern is ee. The word sheep has ee too.

Key ideas

  • Find the pair of letters in the model word.
  • Find the choice with the same pair.
  • Check each choice.
Worked example 4.5.1
The word rain has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A tree B tail C tall Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the letters in the model word, then find the choice that has them too.

  1. Find ai in the model word. Those letters make one sound.
    rain: ai
  2. Find the word with the same letters. Check each choice.
    tail has ai
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both rain and tail have ai. ✓

Watch out. Look for the same letters together, not only the same first letter.

Worked example 4.5.2
The word tree has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A ship B shop C sheep Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the letters in the model word, then find the choice that has them too.

  1. Find ee in the model word. Those letters make one sound.
    tree: ee
  2. Find the word with the same letters. Check each choice.
    sheep has ee
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Both tree and sheep have ee. ✓

Watch out. Look for the same letters together, not only the same first letter.

Worked example 4.5.3
The word snail has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A net B nail C bee Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find the letters in the model word, then find the choice that has them too.

  1. Find ai in the model word. Those letters make one sound.
    snail: ai
  2. Find the word with the same letters. Check each choice.
    nail has ai
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both snail and nail have ai. ✓

Watch out. Look for the same letters together, not only the same first letter.

Watch out

Watch out: a word that starts the same way may not have the same pattern. Look at the pair of letters, not the first letter.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the model pattern first, then to the matching pattern in the other word.

Exercise 4E  Practice: the same long vowel as a model word

1
PSThe word feet has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A sail B seed C sack Choose A, B or C.
2
PSThe word train has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A sun B sheep C sail Choose A, B or C.
3
PSThe word bee has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A sweet B sweat C sun Choose A, B or C.
4
PSThe word sail has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A rain B rest C red Choose A, B or C.
5
PSThe word sheep has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A tray B tap C tree Choose A, B or C.
6
PSThe word tail has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A snail B snap C sheep Choose A, B or C.
7
PSThe word seed has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A bat B bee C bell Choose A, B or C.
4.6

Mixed practice: ai and ee

Level 2
Read words with ai or ee, Fix a word with a wrong spelling
Video lesson: Mixed practice: ai and eeComing soon

This section mixes ai and ee words. Read each word as one long sound for its pair of letters.

Some wrong spellings are close. Check every letter of the pair.

Key ideas

  • Look for ai and ee together.
  • Read the whole word.
  • Check the picture name.
Worked example 4.6.1
Someone wrote seep for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Method. Say the name, then write the spelling with the right letters.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name slowly. Say each sound.
    sh - ee - p
  2. Compare the spelling. the h after s is missing
    seep is not right
  3. Write the correct spelling. Use the letters for each sound.
    sheep
  4. Write the answer.
    sheep

Check. sheep matches the picture and the sounds. ✓

Watch out. Use the letters that make each sound, such as ee or ai.

Worked example 4.6.2
Someone wrote tial for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Method. Say the name, then write the spelling with the right letters.

  1. Look at the picture and say its name slowly. Say each sound.
    t - ai - l
  2. Compare the spelling. the ai pair is in the wrong order
    tial is not right
  3. Write the correct spelling. Use the letters for each sound.
    tail
  4. Write the answer.
    tail

Check. tail matches the picture and the sounds. ✓

Watch out. Use the letters that make each sound, such as ee or ai.

Worked example 4.6.3
Read the word: bee. Does the picture show bee? Answer yes or no.

Method. Read the word, then say what the picture shows.

  1. Read the word. Sound out each letter.
    b - ee
  2. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    bee
  3. Compare them. Do they show the same name?
    bee and bee are the same
  4. Write the answer.
    Yes

Check. The picture shows a bee. ✓

Watch out. Check every letter in the word, not only the first.

Watch out

Watch out: a pair of letters can look like a single letter. Check the whole pair in each word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to each pair of letters and say its long sound before answering.

Exercise 4F  Practice: mixed practice: ai and ee

1
FRead the word: rain. Does the picture show rain? Answer yes or no.
2
FWhich picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.
songAtrainBjamC
3
FWhich picture name has the letters ee in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.
tinAfeetBnetC
4
FHow many sounds are in sweet? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 2 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
5
FHow many sounds are in nail? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.
6
FRead the word: tree. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A fete B feet Choose A or B.
8
FWhich picture name has ee in it? Choose tail, sheep or hat. A hat B tail C sheep Choose A, B or C.
9
PSSomeone wrote snial for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
aiTwo letters, one long sound: rain, tail, snail
eeTwo letters, one long sound: tree, bee, sheep
Choose the pairTry each pair in the gap and read the whole word
Same patternFind the pair in the model word, then find the same pair

Can you…?

  • I can say the long sound of ai, as in rain
  • I can say the long sound of ee, as in tree
  • I can choose ai or ee to complete a written word
  • I can find the word with the same long vowel as a model word

Key terms

vowel pair
two vowel letters together that make one sound, such as ai or ee
long sound
the sound a vowel makes when it says its name, such as ai in rain
model word
a word that shows you a pattern to find in other words

Exercise 4Z  Check-up

1
Which picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.
sweetAeggBsnailC
2
Which picture name has the letters ee in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.
beeAjamBpotC
3
Which pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? tr__n A ai B oa C ee Choose A, B or C.
4
Which pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? f__t A ai B ee C oa Choose A, B or C.
5
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, r, a, i
6
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A nail B nale Choose A or B.
7
The word rain has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A sheep B sail C sat Choose A, B or C.
8
The word tree has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A sand B sad C seed Choose A, B or C.
9
How many sounds are in sheep? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 2 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
10
Someone wrote tre for this picture. Write the correct spelling.

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 4X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
tailAgiftBjugC
2
FWhich picture name has the letters ee in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
sheepAsinkBgoatC
3
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? sw__t A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
4
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? n__l A ee B ai C oa Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: e, e, b[1 mark]
6
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A snail B snial Choose A or B.[1 mark]
7
PSThe word sheep has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A bee B bun C bat Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
8
FHow many sounds are in train? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
9
FRead the word: feet. Does the picture show feet? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
10
FWhich pair of letters is in the picture name tail? Choose ai, ee or oa. A ee B ai C oa Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
← Chapter 3: Consonant digraphs: th and ngChapter 5: Long vowel sounds: oa and igh →

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