Using the suffixes -cial and -tial | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Match each word to the representation of the 'sh' sound it contains.

• portion

• ti

• special

• ci

• shop

• sh

Answer explanation

The ‘sh’ sound can be spelt a range of ways, including ‘sh’, ‘ti’ and ‘ci’, like in 'shop', 'portion' and 'special'.

The -cial spelling of /shul/ is usually used if the letter before the /shul/ ending is a ...

• consonant.

• vowel.

• double letter.

Answer explanation

If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a vowel, -cial is usually used, like social and facial.

The -tial spelling of /shul/ is usually used if the letter before the /shul/ ending is a ...

• consonant.

• vowel.

• double letter.

Answer explanation

If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a consonant, -tial is usually used.

Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'My birthday is a speshul day.'

• spetial

• speshul

• special

Answer explanation

'Special' has a vowel before the /shul/ ending. If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a vowel, -cial is usually used.

Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'This letter is conffidenshul because nobody else can read it.'

• confidenshul

• confidensial

• confidencial

• confidential

Answer explanation

'Confidential' has the consonant 'n' before the /shul/ ending. If the letter before the /shul/ ending is a consonant, -tial is usually used.

Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Fish can breev under water.'

(a)  

Answer explanation

The word ‘breathe’ has ‘breath’ inside it. The words are connected in meaning and spelling. You cannot hear the ‘e’ at the end of the word.