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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 10 · Level 2 check
Level 2 · Chapter 10

Level 2 check

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can say and find the sounds for the new letters and digraphs
  • I can read and spell longer words with ai, ee, oa and igh
  • I can read the tricky words by sight
  • I can read and check sentences with capitals and end marks

You should already know

  • Chapters 1 to 9 of Level 2

Where this leads

  • Level 3: more long vowel patterns oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, ay, ea, ie and oe (next level)

Step-by-step practice: English (Level 2). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Answer letter-sound questions for j, v, w, x, y, z and qu (Chapter 1), Answer questions on sh, ch, th and ng (Chapters 2 and 3), Answer questions on long vowels ai, ee, oa and igh, and on longer words (Chapters 4 to 7), Answer questions on tricky words and on sentences with capitals and end marks (Chapters 8 and 9).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich two letters make one sound at the start of chin? Choose c, ch or h. A c B h C ch Choose A, B or C.
2
FWhich word has the long sound ai? Choose rain, rat or rim. A rim B rat C rain Choose A, B or C.
3
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.
4
FWhich word ends with ng? Choose sing, sink or sin. A sin B sink C sing Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich letter does the picture name zip start with? Choose z, s or j. A s B j C z Choose A, B or C.
10.1

Review: letter sounds and digraphs

Level 2
Say and find the sounds of the letters and digraphs from Chapters 1 to 3
Video lesson: Review: letter sounds and digraphsComing soon

This section reviews the letters and digraphs you have learned: j, v, w, x, y, z, qu, sh, ch, th and ng.

For each picture, find the sound at the start or end. Some pairs of letters make one sound, such as sh and ng.

Key ideas

  • Look at the first letter or pair of letters.
  • sh, ch, th and ng each make one sound.
  • Look at the end for x and ng.
Worked example 10.1.1
Which picture starts with the sound /j/? Look at the first letter of each name.treejambus

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.
    tree: t jam: j bus: b
  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 10.1.2
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 10.1.3
Which picture starts with the sound /j/? Look at the first letter of each name.matlampjug

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.
    mat: m lamp: l jug: j
  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: a picture can look easy but start with a different sound. Read the name, not the picture alone.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say each sound, then point to the letters for it. Praise each correct answer.

Exercise 10A  Practice: review: letter sounds and digraphs

1
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: j, s, a
2
FWhich picture starts with the sound /v/? Look at the first letter of each name.
nutvanmat
3
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: v, a, s
4
FWhich picture starts with the sound /v/? Look at the first letter of each name.
cowzebravest
5
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: v, s, a
6
FWhich picture starts with the sound /w/? Look at the first letter of each name.
ringwebtoad
7
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: w, s, a
8
FWhich picture starts with the sound /w/? Look at the first letter of each name.
wigdognut
9
FLook at the picture. Which letter does its name start with? Choose from: a, s, w
10
FWhich letter does the word box end with? Choose from: z, b, o, x
11
FWhich picture name ends with the letters x? Look at the letters, not the picture.
sixAloafBnightC
12
FWhich picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.
bathAqueenBnutC
13
FWhich picture name starts with the letters z? Look at the letters, not the picture.
zebraAbedBcatC
14
FWhich picture name starts with the letters y? Look at the letters, not the picture.
feetAyamBrainC
15
FWhich picture name starts with the letters sh? Look at the letters, not the picture.
topAyakBshopC
16
FWhich picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.
cupApathBchainC
17
FWhich picture name starts with the letters th? Look at the letters, not the picture.
netAtreeBbathC
18
FWhich picture name ends with the letters ng? Look at the letters, not the picture.
rainAmatBwingC
19
FWhich pair of letters begins the word thin? Choose sh, th or ch. A th B ch C sh Choose A, B or C.
20
FWhich pair of letters ends the word sink? Choose nk, ng or th. A th B nk C ng Choose A, B or C.
21
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, e, q, u, e
22
FRead the word: web. Does the picture show web? Answer yes or no.
23
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
jamjugvan
24
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
vanvestjam
25
PSWhich picture does not start with the same letter as the others?
webwigjam
26
PSSomeone wrote seep for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
27
RSam says that jam starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
jam
28
RSam says that van starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
van
29
RSam says that web starts with s. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
web
10.2

Review: long vowels and longer words

Level 2
Read and spell words with ai, ee, oa and igh, Split and read longer words
Video lesson: Review: long vowels and longer wordsComing soon

Some pairs of letters make one long sound: ai, ee, oa and igh. Find the pair, then read the whole word.

Keep the pairs together when you split a longer word into sounds.

Key ideas

  • Find the long-vowel pair first.
  • Count the sounds, with each pair as one.
  • Read the whole word.
Worked example 10.2.1
Which picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.pigArainBbathC

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

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

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 10.2.2
Which picture name has the letters ee in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.beeAsongBdogC

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: song C: dog
  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.

Worked example 10.2.3
Which picture name has the letters oa in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.boatAshipByamC

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

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the two letters together.
    A: boat B: ship C: yam
  2. Find the name with oa inside. Only one name has these two letters together.
    boat = picture A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

Check. boat has oa, and the others do not. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: a long-vowel pair is one sound, even though it has two or three letters. Do not split it.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to tap once for each sound, with the pairs together. Then read the whole word.

Exercise 10B  Practice: review: long vowels and longer words

1
FWhich picture name has the letters igh in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.
soapAtrainBnightC
2
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.
3
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.
4
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? g__t A ai B igh C oa Choose A, B or C.
5
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? l__t A oa B igh C ee Choose A, B or C.
6
FHow many sounds are in chain? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 2 B 3 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
7
FHow many sounds are in shell? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.
8
FRead the word: chain. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
9
FLook at the picture. Which spelling is right? A rane B rain Choose A or B.
10
PSThe word snail has the letters ai. Which word has the same letters? A net B nail C bee Choose A, B or C.
11
PSThe word feet has the letters ee. Which word has the same letters? A tent B tap C tree Choose A, B or C.
12
PSSomeone wrote bot for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
10.3

Review: tricky words and sentences

Level 2
Read tricky words by sight, Read and check sentences with capitals and end marks
Video lesson: Review: tricky words and sentencesComing soon

Tricky words are learned by sight: said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, where, what and when.

A sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop or question mark. Read the whole sentence before you decide.

Key ideas

  • Read the whole sentence first.
  • Check the capital letter and the end mark.
  • Check the tricky words.
Worked example 10.3.1
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ see the bus. A can B cat C cap 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 ______ see the bus.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    can / cat / cap
  3. Pick the word that fits. can fits the sentence.
    can fits
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 10.3.2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: Mum ______ it is time for bed. A so B said 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.
    Mum ______ it is time for bed.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    so / said / some
  3. Pick the word that fits. said is the word for what Mum told us.
    said fits
  4. Write the answer.
    B

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 10.3.3
Choose the word that completes the sentence: It is hot, ______ we will swim. A so B said 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.
    It is hot, ______ we will swim.
  2. Read each choice in the gap. Only one choice makes sense.
    so / said / some
  3. Pick the word that fits. so shows the result.
    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.

Watch out

Watch out: a tricky word can look like a word you know. Read the whole sentence before you choose.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read any tricky word aloud for the child, then ask the child to read the whole sentence alone.

Exercise 10C  Practice: review: tricky words and sentences

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: Can I have ______ jam? A like B some C come Choose A, B or C.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: They ______ at home. A were B where C wore Choose A, B or C.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: ______ is the shop? A Were B Where C When Choose A, B or C.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: First we eat, ______ we play. A when B then C what Choose A, B or C.
5
FRead the word: night. Does the picture show night? Answer yes or no.
6
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The cat sat on the mat. B The dog is in the sun. C The bus is at the shop. Choose A, B or C.
7
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The snail is on a log. B The bee is on the tree. C The rain is wet. Choose A, B or C.
8
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: the / is / bee / on / the / tree. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
9
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: road / on / goat / the / the / is. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
10
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The sheep can sleep at night. B The moth is on the path. C The sun is hot. Choose A, B or C.
11
RWhich line is written correctly? A The fish is in the pond. B the fish is in the pond. Choose A or B.
12
RWhich line is written correctly? A The hen sat on an egg B The hen sat on an egg. Choose A or B.
10.4

The Level 2 check

Level 2
Answer 20 questions on Chapters 1 to 9, Score 16 or more out of 20
Video lesson: The Level 2 checkComing soon

The check has 20 questions, one mark each. They come from Chapters 1 to 9.

The questions use pictures, letters, written words and short sentences. Nothing is checked by sound.

Take the check on your own. Then check the answers together, and look at any question you missed.

Pass mark: 16 out of 20. This pass mark is an assumption in the plan, and the supervisor has not yet confirmed it.

Next: Level 3, which teaches more long vowel patterns such as oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, ay, ea, ie and oe.

Key ideas

  • The check has 20 questions, one mark each.
  • A score of 16 or more out of 20 is a pass (assumed).
  • Questions come from every chapter in Level 2.
  • Read every question and every choice.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read the instructions aloud if the child needs help. Do not give hints during the check. Use the answers afterwards to see which chapter to practise again.

Watch out

Watch out: a score below 16 is not a failure. Go back to the chapter with most mistakes and practise it again.

Worked example 10.4.1
Which picture name has the letters ai in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.snailApigBpenC

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

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

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

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

Worked example 10.4.2
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The cat sat on the mat. B The dog is in the sun. C The bus is at the shop. Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Look at the picture. Say what it shows.
    cat
  2. Read each sentence. Find the one about the picture.
    The cat sat on the mat. / The dog is in the sun. / The bus is at the shop.
  3. Match the sentence. Choice A tells us about the cat.
    A: The cat sat on the mat.
  4. Write the answer.
    A

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

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

Worked example 10.4.3
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, a, i, h, c

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

Check. Read the letters back: ch - ai - n. They make chain. ✓

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

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
New letter soundsLook at the first letter, or the last letter for x, and say its sound
DigraphsTwo or three letters can make one sound: sh, ch, th, ng, ai, ee, oa, igh
Longer wordsSplit the word into sounds, keeping pairs together, then blend
Tricky words and sentencesRead tricky words by sight; start with a capital and end with a stop or question mark

Can you…?

  • I can say the sounds for j, v, w, x, y, z and qu
  • I can say sh, ch, th and ng as one sound each
  • I can read ai, ee, oa and igh words
  • I can read the Level 2 tricky words by sight
  • I can read and check sentences with capitals and end marks
  • I have taken the Level 2 check and scored 16 or more (assumed pass mark)

Key terms

check
a set of questions that shows what you have learned
pass mark
the score you need to move on; here 16 out of 20 (assumed)
Level 3
the next step, with more long vowel patterns

Exercise 10Z  Check-up

1
Which picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.
duckAchinByakC
2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: I ______ a red bag. A have B hat C hay Choose A, B or C.
3
Which pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? b__t A oa B ai C igh Choose A, B or C.
4
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.
5
Someone wrote nigt for this picture. Write the correct spelling.
6
Look at the picture. Which spelling is right? A fete B feet Choose A or B.
7
Which line is written correctly? A the bus is at the shop. B The bus is at the shop. Choose A or B.
8
Look at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The train is on the rail. B The bee is on the tree. C The moth is on the path. Choose A, B or C.
9
Put these words in the right order to make a sentence: has / ship / red / a / the / sail. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.
10
Which picture name ends with the letters ng? Look at the letters, not the picture.
matAsongBjugC

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 10X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich picture name starts with the letters j? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
treeAnetBjugC
2
FWhich letter does the word box end with? Choose from: e, b, o, x[1 mark]
3
FWhich picture name starts with the letters qu? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
?quizAchinBmopC
4
FWhich picture name starts with the letters sh? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
shellAnutBhutC
5
FWhich picture name starts with the letters th? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
topAmothBringC
6
FWhich picture name ends with the letters ng? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
bedApathBringC
7
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.[1 mark]
8
FWhich pair of letters goes in the gap to make a word? tr__ A oa B ai C ee Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
9
FWhich picture name has the letters oa in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
matApenBcoatC
10
FWhich picture name has the letters igh in it? Look at the letters, not the picture.[1 mark]
mothAbeeBlightC
11
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: s, w, e, t, e[1 mark]
12
PSSomeone wrote gaot for this picture. Write the correct spelling.[1 mark]
13
FHow many sounds are in night? A vowel pair such as ai or ee counts as one sound. A 4 B 3 C 2 Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
14
FRead the word: train. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
ABC
15
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]
16
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ______ at the park yesterday. A were B where C come Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
17
RWhich line is written correctly? A dad has a red hat. B Dad has a red hat. Choose A or B.[1 mark]
18
PSLook at the picture. Which sentence matches it? A The bee is on the tree. B The snail is on a log. C The fish is in the pond. Choose A, B or C.[1 mark]
19
PSPut these words in the right order to make a sentence: the / is / hot / sun. Write it with a capital letter and a full stop.[1 mark]
20
FRead the word: shop. Does the picture show shop? Answer yes or no.[1 mark]
← Chapter 9: Sentences with capitals, full stops and question marks

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