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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 8 · Tricky words: said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, what, when
Level 2 · Chapter 8

Tricky words: said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, what, when

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can read the tricky words on sight
  • I can choose the tricky word that fits a sentence gap
  • I can tell apart two tricky words that look alike

You should already know

  • Tricky words set 1 and 2: the, to, I, no, go, he, she, we, me, be, my, you, they, all, are, was, her

Where this leads

  • Sentences with capitals, full stops and question marks (Chapter 9)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 2). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Read each tricky word on sight, without sounding it out, Choose the tricky word that completes a short sentence, Tell apart two tricky words that look alike (were and where, come and some, when and then).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich tricky word completes this? I ___ a red hat. Choose have, has or hat. A hat B has C have Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich tricky word completes this? ___ is a good day. Choose Today, To or Go. A To B Go C Today Choose A, B or C.
3
FWhich word has the long sound ai? Choose rain, rim or rat. A rat B rim C rain Choose A, B or C.
4
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.
5
FWhich tricky word completes this? We ___ to the park. Choose go, goes or gone. A go B gone C goes Choose A, B or C.
8.1

said and so

Level 2
Read said and so on sight, Choose said or so to complete a sentence
Video lesson: said and soComing soon

The word said is a tricky word. The letters ai make the short sound /e/ in said, not the long sound in rain.

The word so is a tricky word too. Read it as so, with the long sound of o.

Learn both words by sight, and read the whole sentence before you choose.

Key ideas

  • said is read on sight: it sounds like /sed/.
  • so has a long o sound.
  • Read the whole sentence before you choose.
Worked example 8.1.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Mum ______ it is time for bed. A said B says C so Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Mum ______ it is time for bed.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    said / says / so
  3. Pick the word that fits. said is the word for what someone told us.
    said fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 8.1.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: It is hot, ______ we will swim. A so B some C said Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    It is hot, ______ we will swim.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    so / some / said
  3. Pick the word that fits. so means therefore, and it fits here.
    so fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 8.1.3
Read the word on the card: said. Which word is the same? A sand B sad C said Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the card. Read the whole word.
    said
  2. Find the same word. said is the same word on the card.
    said = choice C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Both words read said. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: said looks like sail and sad, but it is read on sight. Learn its shape.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read said and so for the child. Ask the child to read the whole sentence alone.

Exercise 8A  Practice: said and so

1
FRead the word on the card: so. Which word is the same? A sod B sow C so Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Tom ______ thank you. A so B said C some Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I was tired, ______ I went to bed. A some B so C said Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The dog ______ woof. A so B said C says Choose A, B or C.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It was late ______ we went home. A some B said C so Choose A, B or C.
6
FRead the word on the card: said. Which word is the same? A sad B sand C said Choose A, B or C.
7
FWhich word means the same as told? Choose said, sand or sad. A said B sand C sad Choose A, B or C.
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It is not ______ long to wait. A said B so C some Choose A, B or C.
9
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ good morning. A sad B so C said Choose A, B or C.
8.2

do and have

Level 2
Read do and have on sight, Choose do or have to complete a sentence
Video lesson: do and haveComing soon

The word do is a tricky word. It is read as /doo/, as in do your best.

The word have is also tricky. The letters a and e do not make the long sound of rain. Read it as have.

Read the sentence aloud in your head, then choose.

Key ideas

  • do is read on sight: it sounds like /doo/.
  • have is read on sight: the e is silent.
  • Read the whole sentence before you choose.
Worked example 8.2.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: What can we ______ today? A do B dog C have Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    What can we ______ today?
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    do / dog / have
  3. Pick the word that fits. do is the verb to ask what we will be doing.
    do fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 8.2.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ a new pen. A has B do C have Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    I ______ a new pen.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    has / do / have
  3. Pick the word that fits. have is the verb for owning something.
    have fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

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

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

Worked example 8.2.3
Read the word on the card: do. Which word is the same? A doe B do C dot Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the card. Read the whole word.
    do
  2. Find the same word. do is the same word on the card.
    do = choice B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both words read do. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: have looks like hive and have has a silent e. Read the word on sight.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to read do and have on sight, then the whole sentence. Praise the careful reading.

Exercise 8B  Practice: do and have

1
FRead the word on the card: have. Which word is the same? A hive B hat C have Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: They ______ their homework. A do B dog C have Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ a picnic on Sunday. A have B do C hat Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Please ______ not be late. A day B have C do Choose A, B or C.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: You ______ to try it. A dog B have C do Choose A, B or C.
6
FWhich tricky word means own or hold? Choose do, have or dog. A do B dog C have Choose A, B or C.
7
FRead the word: hat. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ not know the answer. A dig B have C do Choose A, B or C.
9
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: She can ______ a cartwheel. A day B have C do Choose A, B or C.
8.3

like and some

Level 2
Read like and some on sight, Choose like or some to complete a sentence
Video lesson: like and someComing soon

The word like is a tricky word. The i is long, and the e is silent. Read it as like.

The word some is a tricky word. It is read as /sum/, not /so-me/. The letters o and m make a short sound.

Read the whole sentence before you choose.

Key ideas

  • like has a long i and a silent e.
  • some is read as /sum/.
  • Read the whole sentence before you choose.
Worked example 8.3.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ red apples. A some B lake C like Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    I ______ red apples.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    some / lake / like
  3. Pick the word that fits. like means enjoy.
    like fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

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

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

Worked example 8.3.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Can I have ______ jam? A some B like C sum Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Can I have ______ jam?
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    some / like / sum
  3. Pick the word that fits. some means a few or part of an amount.
    some fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 8.3.3
Read the word on the card: like. Which word is the same? A lake B like C lime Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the card. Read the whole word.
    like
  2. Find the same word. like is the same word on the card.
    like = choice B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Both words read like. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: some is not read as so-me. It is one short sound, then m.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the silent e in like, and to say some with a short sound.

Exercise 8C  Practice: like and some

1
FRead the word on the card: some. Which word is the same? A sore B same C some Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Do you ______ to swim? A lake B some C like Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: There are ______ eggs in the bowl. A some B like C same Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ the colour blue. A like B some C lime Choose A, B or C.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Mum made ______ soup. A like B same C some Choose A, B or C.
6
FWhich word means a few? Choose like, some or same. A some B same C like Choose A, B or C.
7
FRead the word: cat. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: He does not ______ peas. A like B lake C some Choose A, B or C.
9
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We picked ______ flowers. A like B some C same Choose A, B or C.
8.4

come and were

Level 2
Read come and were on sight, Tell apart were and where
Video lesson: come and wereComing soon

The word come is a tricky word. It is read as /kum/, with a short u sound. The e is silent.

The word were is a tricky word. It has a silent e too. It is not the same as where, which asks a place.

Read the whole sentence and ask: is this about a place, or about the past?

Key ideas

  • come is read on sight: /kum/.
  • were is read on sight: it is the past of are.
  • where asks about a place.
Worked example 8.4.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Please ______ here now. A came B come C some Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    Please ______ here now.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    came / come / some
  3. Pick the word that fits. come means move towards the speaker.
    come fits
  4. Write the answer.
    B

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

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

Worked example 8.4.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: They ______ at home. A were B where C wore Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    They ______ at home.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    were / where / wore
  3. Pick the word that fits. were is the past of are, used with they.
    were fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 8.4.3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ are you going? A Were B Come C Where Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    ______ are you going?
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    Were / Come / Where
  3. Pick the word that fits. Where asks about a place.
    Where fits
  4. Write the answer.
    C

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

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

Watch out

Watch out: were and where look alike, but one asks about a place. Read the whole sentence.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child: "Is it about a place?" If yes, the answer is where. Otherwise the answer is were.

Exercise 8D  Practice: come and were

1
FRead the word on the card: come. Which word is the same? A came B some C come Choose A, B or C.
2
FRead the word on the card: were. Which word is the same? A were B where C wore Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ at the park yesterday. A come B were C where Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Can you ______ to my party? A come B came C some Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich word asks about a place? Choose were, where or wore. A wore B where C were Choose A, B or C.
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The children ______ happy. A come B where C were Choose A, B or C.
7
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I will ______ with you. A came B some C come Choose A, B or C.
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is my hat? A Were B Come C Where Choose A, B or C.
9
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The ducks ______ on the pond. A come B where C were Choose A, B or C.
8.5

what and when

Level 2
Read what and when on sight, Tell apart when and then
Video lesson: what and whenComing soon

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.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    ______ is your name?
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    Then / When / What
  3. Pick the word that fits. What asks for a thing or a name.
    What fits
  4. 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.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Think about what the sentence needs.
    ______ will the bus come?
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    What / When / Then
  3. Pick the word that fits. When asks about a time.
    When fits
  4. 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.

  1. Read the card. Read the whole word.
    what
  2. Find the same word. what is the same word on the card.
    what = choice A
  3. 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

1
FRead the word on the card: when. Which word is the same? A when B then C wren Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: First we eat, ______ we play. A when B what C then Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Tell me ______ you are ready. A then B what C when Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is that noise? A When B Then C What Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich word means next? Choose when, then or what. A when B then C what Choose A, B or C.
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ did we arrive at school? A What B Then C When Choose A, B or C.
7
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.
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is for tea? A Then B When C What Choose A, B or C.
9
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We will go ______ it stops raining. A what B when C then Choose A, B or C.
8.6

Mixed tricky words in sentences

Level 2
Read tricky words in short sentences, Match a sentence to a picture
Video lesson: Mixed tricky words in sentencesComing soon

This section mixes the tricky words from this chapter. Read each sentence on sight, then choose.

Read the whole sentence before you look at the picture.

Key ideas

  • Read the whole sentence.
  • Find the tricky word that fits.
  • Check the picture.
Worked example 8.6.1
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The dog said woof. B The dog has some bones. C The cat is on the mat. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    dog
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    The dog said woof. / The dog has some bones. / The cat is on the mat.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice A tells us about the dog.
    A: The dog said woof.
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a dog. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Worked example 8.6.2
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The hen has some eggs. B The bus is red. C The sun is hot. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    hen
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    The hen has some eggs. / The bus is red. / The sun is hot.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice A tells us about the hen.
    A: The hen has some eggs.
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a hen. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Worked example 8.6.3
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The train is on the track. B The cat is in the hut. C The fox is red. Choose A, B or C.

Method. Look at the picture, then read each sentence.

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    train
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    The train is on the track. / The cat is in the hut. / The fox is red.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice A tells us about the train.
    A: The train is on the track.
  4. Write the answer.
    A

Check. Read the sentence again: it talks about a train. ✓

Watch out. A sentence that talks about something else is wrong, even if it has the same letters.

Watch out

Watch out: a sentence can look right with the wrong tricky word. Read the whole sentence with your choice.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to read the whole sentence with the choice in the gap, then decide.

Exercise 8F  Practice: mixed tricky words in sentences

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Mum ______ we can go to the park. A said B some C so Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: What ______ you do after school? A dog B have C do Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Please ______ to my party. A came B some C come Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is the bus? A Were B Come C Where Choose A, B or C.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ tired after the long walk. A were B wore C where Choose A, B or C.
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ fish and chips. A some B lake C like Choose A, B or C.
7
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ will we eat lunch? A When B What C Then Choose A, B or C.
8
FWhich tricky word completes this? I ___ to see you. Choose like, come or some. A like B come C some Choose A, B or C.
9
FWhich tricky word completes this? We have ___ time. Choose some, come or said. A come B some C said Choose A, B or C.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
said, soRead on sight: said sounds like /sed/, so has a long o
do, haveRead on sight: do sounds like /doo/, have has a silent e
like, someRead on sight: like has a silent e, some is read as /sum/
come, were, whereRead on sight: come is /kum/. Where asks about a place
what, when, thenRead on sight: what is /wot/. When asks about a time, then means next

Can you…?

  • I can read each tricky word on sight
  • I can choose the tricky word that fits a sentence gap
  • I can tell apart were and where
  • I can tell apart when and then

Key terms

tricky word
a word that does not follow the usual sounds, so it is read by sight
on sight
read without sounding out the word
gap
a space in a sentence where one word is missing

Exercise 8Z  Check-up

1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Mum ______ it was time to go. A so B said C some Choose A, B or C.
2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: What can we ______ today? A do B dog C have Choose A, B or C.
3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ a new bike. A have B hat C do Choose A, B or C.
4
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ the colour red. A some B lake C like Choose A, B or C.
5
Choose the word that completes the sentence: They ______ at home. A were B where C wore Choose A, B or C.
6
Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is the shop? A Come B Were C Where Choose A, B or C.
7
Choose the word that completes the sentence: First we eat, ______ we play. A when B what C then Choose A, B or C.
8
Choose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is your name? A Then B When C What Choose A, B or C.
9
Read the word on the card: come. Which word is the same? A came B some C come Choose A, B or C.
10
Which word asks about a time? Choose what, when or then. A when B then C what Choose A, B or C.

Total 10 marks. Allow about 10 minutes.

Exercise 8X  Practice test questions

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It is hot, ______ we will swim. A so B some C said Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Can I have ______ jam? A some B like C sum Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Please ______ here now. A came B come C some Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ at the park yesterday. A come B were C where Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We will go ______ it stops raining. A what B when C then Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ not know the answer. A dig B have C do Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
7
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: He does not ______ peas. A like B lake C some Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
8
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ did we arrive at school? A What B Then C When Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
9
FRead the word: dog. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
10
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The bus is red. B The hen is in the pen. C The cat is on the mat. Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
← Chapter 7: Spelling longer wordsChapter 9: Sentences with capitals, full stops and question marks →

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