Websink Prep UKStep-by-step practice EnglishLevel 2 chaptersEnglish textbooksLevel 1Level 2Browse allPast papersFind a tutorBecome a tutor
Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 6 · Reading longer words
Level 2 · Chapter 6

Reading longer words

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can split a longer word into its sounds
  • I can blend the sounds of a longer word together
  • I can match a longer word to its picture
  • I can find the word with a given sound in a list

You should already know

  • Digraphs sh, ch, th and ng (Chapters 2 and 3)
  • Long vowel sounds ai, ee, oa and igh (Chapters 4 and 5)

Where this leads

  • Spelling longer words (Chapter 7)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 2). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Read words of four to six letters that use the taught sounds and digraphs, Split a longer word into its sounds and blend them, Match a longer written word to its picture, Find the word with a given sound in a list.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich two letters make one sound at the start of shop? Choose sh, ch or th. A th B sh C ch Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich two letters make the long sound in rain? Choose ai, ee or oa. A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich word ends with ng? Choose sing, sink or sin. A sin B sink C sing Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich tricky word completes this? I can see ___ bird. Choose a, the or he. A the B he C a Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich word has the long sound oa? Choose coat, cot or cat. A cot B cat C coat Choose A, B or C.
6.1

Splitting a longer word into sounds

Level 2
Split a longer word into its sounds, Count the sounds in a word
Video lesson: Splitting a longer word into soundsComing soon

A longer word has more sounds. Split it into sounds before you read it.

Keep the digraphs and vowel teams together. chain is ch - ai - n. It is not c - h - a - i - n.

Count the sounds: chain has three sounds.

Key ideas

  • Find the digraphs and vowel teams first.
  • Keep two or three letters together when they make one sound.
  • Count the sounds as you go.
Worked example 6.1.1
Which is the right way to split chain into sounds? A ch - ai - n B ch - a - in C c - h - ai - n Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find each sound first, then pick the split that matches the word.

  1. Find the digraphs and vowel teams first. Keep two or three letters together when they make one sound.
    chain
  2. Split the word after each sound. Each part is one sound.
    ch - ai - n
  3. Find the choice that matches. Choice A is the same split.
    chain = choice A
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Join the parts again: chain. ✓

Watch out. Keep ch, sh, ai, ee and igh together. Do not split them.

Worked example 6.1.2
How many sounds are in chain? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 5 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 / 5
  2. Find the one that fits. chain is ch - ai - n: 3 sounds.
    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 6.1.3
Which is the right way to split sheep into sounds? A sh - e - ep B s - h - ee - p C sh - ee - p Choose A, B or C.

Method. Find each sound first, then pick the split that matches the word.

  1. Find the digraphs and vowel teams first. Keep two or three letters together when they make one sound.
    sheep
  2. Split the word after each sound. Each part is one sound.
    sh - ee - p
  3. Find the choice that matches. Choice C is the same split.
    sheep = choice C
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Join the parts again: sheep. ✓

Watch out. Keep ch, sh, ai, ee and igh together. Do not split them.

Watch out

Watch out: ai, ee and igh each make one sound. Do not split the pair into two sounds.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to tap once for each sound and say the sound as they tap. Count the taps together.

Exercise 6A  Practice: splitting a longer word into sounds

1
FHow many sounds are in sheep? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 3 B 5 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich is the right way to split snail into sounds? A sn - ai - l B s - n - ai - l C s - n - a - il Choose A, B or C.
3
FHow many sounds are in snail? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 4 B 3 C 5 Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich is the right way to split light into sounds? A l - i - gh - t B l - igh - t C li - gh - t Choose A, B or C.
5
FHow many sounds are in light? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 5 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
6
FWhich is the right way to split shell into sounds? A s - h - e - l - l B she - ll C sh - e - l - l Choose A, B or C.
7
FHow many sounds are in goat? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 4 B 3 C 5 Choose A, B or C.
8
FWhich is the right way to split train into sounds? A tr - ai - n B t - r - a - in C t - r - ai - n Choose A, B or C.
9
FHow many sounds are in train? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 5 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
10
FWhich is the right way to split thing into sounds? A t - h - i - ng B th - i - ng C th - ing Choose A, B or C.
11
FHow many sounds are in thing? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 3 B 5 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
6.2

Blending a longer word

Level 2
Blend the sounds of a longer word, Find the word that the sounds make
Video lesson: Blending a longer wordComing soon

To blend a longer word, say each sound in order, then join them together quickly.

For sheep, say sh - ee - p, then join them: sheep.

Read the whole word at the end. Check it makes sense.

Key ideas

  • Say each sound in order.
  • Join the sounds together.
  • Read the whole word.
Worked example 6.2.1
Blend the letters: sh - i - p. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the letters in order. Say each letter in order.
    sh - i - p
  2. Join them into one word. Blend the sounds together, not one at a time.
    ship
  3. Find the picture with that name. Picture C shows a ship.
    ship = picture C
  4. Write the answer.
    C

Check. The other pictures show different names: queen, fox. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Worked example 6.2.2
Blend the letters: ch - ai - n. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the letters in order. Say each letter in order.
    ch - ai - n
  2. Join them into one word. Blend the sounds together, not one at a time.
    chain
  3. Find the picture with that name. Picture B shows a chain.
    chain = picture B
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. The other pictures show different names: shop, train. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Worked example 6.2.3
Blend the letters: sh - ee - p. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the letters in order. Say each letter in order.
    sh - ee - p
  2. Join them into one word. Blend the sounds together, not one at a time.
    sheep
  3. Find the picture with that name. Picture B shows a sheep.
    sheep = picture B
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. The other pictures show different names: pig, bath. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Watch out

Watch out: blend the whole word. Do not stop after the first two sounds.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Let the child say the sounds slowly, then faster, until the word joins together. Then ask for the picture.

Exercise 6B  Practice: blending a longer word

1
FBlend the letters: t - r - ai - n. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
2
FBlend the letters: l - igh - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
3
FBlend the letters: s - n - ai - l. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
4
FBlend the letters: w - i - ng. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
FBlend the letters: m - o - th. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
6
FBlend the letters: b - oa - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
FBlend the letters: c - oa - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
8
FBlend the letters: ch - e - s - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
9
FBlend the letters: t - r - ee. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
10
FBlend the letters: r - oa - d. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
11
FBlend the letters: f - ee - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
6.3

Matching a longer word to its picture

Level 2
Read a longer word and find its picture, Check a picture against a word
Video lesson: Matching a longer word to its pictureComing soon

Longer words are easier when you use the sounds you know. Read the whole word, then look at the pictures.

Check the picture carefully. Some pictures look alike, but their words are different.

Key ideas

  • Read the whole word.
  • Look at each picture.
  • Check the letters that make each sound.
Worked example 6.3.1
Read the word: goat. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the word from the left. Sound out each letter, then join the sounds.
    g - oa - t
  2. Look at each picture. Find the picture with that name.
    goat = picture A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. The other pictures show different names: mug, web. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Worked example 6.3.2
Read the word: bath. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the word from the left. Sound out each letter, then join the sounds.
    b - a - th
  2. Look at each picture. Find the picture with that name.
    bath = picture A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. The other pictures show different names: soap, chain. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Worked example 6.3.3
Read the word: nail. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.ABC

Method. Read the word first, then find the picture that matches.

  1. Read the word from the left. Sound out each letter, then join the sounds.
    n - ai - l
  2. Look at each picture. Find the picture with that name.
    nail = picture C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. The other pictures show different names: road, jam. ✓

Watch out. Read every letter. Do not guess from the first letter only.

Watch out

Watch out: sail and tail look alike. Read the first sound, then the rest of the word.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to read the word under the picture before saying what it shows.

Exercise 6C  Practice: matching a longer word to its picture

1
FRead the word: rain. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
2
FRead the word: path. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
3
FRead the word: shop. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
4
FRead the word: bee. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
FRead the word: soap. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
6
FRead the word: night. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
7
FRead the word: coat. Does the picture show coat? Answer yes or no.
8
FRead the word: moth. Does the picture show moth? Answer yes or no.
9
FRead the word: tail. Does the picture show tail? Answer yes or no.
10
FRead the word: sheep. Does the picture show sheep? Answer yes or no.
11
FRead the word: seed. Does the picture show seed? Answer yes or no.
6.4

Finding a word with a given sound

Level 2
Find the word with a given sound in a list, Read the sounds and choose
Video lesson: Finding a word with a given soundComing soon

Sometimes you need to find one word in a list. Read each word in the list and look for the sound you need.

Look at the whole word, not only its first letter.

Key ideas

  • Read each word in the list.
  • Look for the sound you need.
  • Check the whole word before you choose.
Worked example 6.4.1
Which word has the sound th in it? Choose ring, moth or sun. A ring B sun C moth Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    ring / sun / moth
  2. Find the one that fits. moth has th, which makes one sound.
    moth is choice C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

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

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 6.4.2
Which word ends with the sound ng? Choose wing, wig or win. A wing B win C wig Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    wing / win / wig
  2. Find the one that fits. wing ends with n and g together, which makes one sound.
    wing is choice A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

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

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 6.4.3
Which word has the long sound ee? Choose sail, sheep or shop. A sail B shop C sheep Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    sail / shop / sheep
  2. Find the one that fits. sheep has ee, which makes one long sound.
    sheep is choice C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

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

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Watch out

Watch out: several words in a list can have the same sound in a different place. Check the place of the sound.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the sound before reading the word. Praise the careful checking.

Exercise 6D  Practice: finding a word with a given sound

1
FWhich word has the long sound ai? Choose snail, shell or ship. A snail B shell C ship Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich word has the long sound oa? Choose sink, toad or chest. A sink B toad C chest Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich word has the sound igh? Choose light, lamp or lift. A lamp B lift C light Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich word starts with the sound ch? Choose shell, chest or thin. A shell B chest C thin Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich word has the sound nk at the end? Choose sink, sing or song. A sing B sink C song Choose A, B or C.
6
FWhich picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.
bugAchainByamC
7
FWhich picture name starts with the letters sh? Look at the letters, not the picture.
hatAshellBfeetC
8
FWhich picture name starts with the letters th? Look at the letters, not the picture.
boxAbathBringC
6.5

Reading words with two or more sound units

Level 2
Count the sounds in a word with two digraphs, Read a longer word on sight
Video lesson: Reading words with two or more sound unitsComing soon

Some longer words have more than one digraph or vowel team, such as thing with th and ng.

Read each unit as one sound. Then join the sounds: th - i - ng, thing.

Count each unit once, so thing has three sounds.

Key ideas

  • Find each unit: digraph or vowel team.
  • Read each unit as one sound.
  • Join the units together.
Worked example 6.5.1
How many sounds are in thing? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 3 B 5 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.
    3 / 5 / 4
  2. Find the one that fits. thing is th - i - ng: 3 sounds.
    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 6.5.2
How many sounds are in nothing? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 5 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.
    5 / 3 / 4
  2. Find the one that fits. nothing is n - o - th - i - ng: 5 sounds.
    5 is choice A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read 5 in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 6.5.3
How many sounds are in bath? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 5 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.
    5 / 4 / 3
  2. Find the one that fits. bath is b - a - th: 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.

Watch out

Watch out: a digraph is one sound, even though it has two letters. Do not count the letters.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to put a finger down for each unit and say each one. Then join them together.

Exercise 6E  Practice: reading words with two or more sound units

1
FHow many sounds are in sweet? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 5 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich word has four sounds? Choose ship, chain or shell. A ship B chain C shell Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich word has three sounds? Choose tail, train or trains. A train B trains C tail Choose A, B or C.
4
FRead the word: ring. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
FRead the word: night. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
6
FRead the word: light. Does the picture show light? Answer yes or no.
7
FWhich word has an ng sound and a th sound? Choose thing, sing or moth. A thing B sing C moth Choose A, B or C.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Split the wordKeep digraphs and vowel teams together, then split after each sound
Blend the wordSay each sound in order, then join them quickly
Match the pictureRead the whole word before you look at the pictures
Find a sound in a listRead each word and look for the sound in its place

Can you…?

  • I can split a longer word into its sounds
  • I can blend the sounds of a longer word
  • I can match a longer word to its picture
  • I can find the word with a given sound in a list

Key terms

unit
one sound, which may be one letter or a digraph or vowel team
blend
join the sounds together to read a word
longer word
a word with four or more letters

Exercise 6Z  Check-up

1
Which is the right way to split shell into sounds? A s - h - e - l - l B she - ll C sh - e - l - l Choose A, B or C.
2
How many sounds are in shell? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 4 B 5 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
3
Blend the letters: sh - ee - p. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
4
Read the word: boat. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
5
Read the word: moth. Does the picture show moth? Answer yes or no.
6
Which picture name ends with the letters ng? Look at the letters, not the picture.
wingAhatBroadC
7
Which word has the long sound igh? Choose coat, light or goat. A goat B light C coat Choose A, B or C.
8
How many sounds are in snail? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 4 B 3 C 5 Choose A, B or C.
9
Read the word: tree. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
10
Which word starts with th? Choose chin, thin or shin. A chin B shin C thin Choose A, B or C.

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 6X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich is the right way to split train into sounds? A tr - ai - n B t - r - a - in C t - r - ai - n Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
2
FHow many sounds are in feet? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 4 B 3 C 5 Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
3
FBlend the letters: ch - e - s - t. Which picture is it? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
4
FRead the word: seed. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
5
FRead the word: nail. Does the picture show nail? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
6
FWhich picture name starts with the letters sh? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
soapAshipBpigC
7
FWhich word has the long sound ee? Choose tail, tree or ten. A ten B tail C tree Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
8
FHow many sounds are in chain? Count each digraph or vowel team as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 5 Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
9
FRead the word: shop. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
10
FWhich word has the sound ng at the end? Choose song, sand or sad. A sand B song C sad Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
← Chapter 5: Long vowel sounds: oa and ighChapter 7: Spelling longer words →

Websink Prep UK is an independent site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, SQA, GL Assessment, CEM or the Department for Education. All exam board names and trademarks belong to their owners. Past papers are linked from the exam boards' own websites and are not hosted here.

About Websink Prep UK · Find a tutor · Privacy · Terms · Cookie settings