Spelling Patterns

Which word correctly follows the CVCe (consonant-vowel-consonant-silent e) pattern, making the vowel say its name?

• mat

• mate

• matter

• mating

Answer explanation

The word 'mate' follows the CVCe pattern (m-a-t-e). The silent 'e' at the end makes the 'a' have a long vowel sound. 'Mat' is CVC, and 'matter' and 'mating' have different patterns.

Match each verb to the rule it follows when adding a suffix like '-ing' or '-ed'.

• Drop the final 'e'

• stop

• Change 'y' to 'i'

• try

• Double the final consonant

• hope

Answer explanation

Each word follows a different spelling rule when a suffix is added: 'hope' becomes 'hoping' (drop e), 'stop' becomes 'stopping' (double consonant), and 'try' becomes 'tried' (change y to i).

Sort these nouns based on the rule used to make them plural: 'Add -es' or 'Change y to i and add -es'.

Groups:

(a) Add -es

,

(b) Change y to i and add -es

• story

• bus

• match

• city

• fox

• puppy

Answer explanation

Nouns ending in a consonant followed by 'y' (like puppy, story, city) change the 'y' to 'i' and add '-es'. Nouns ending in -s, -x, or -ch (like bus, fox, match) add '-es'.

My dad was ________ a surprise party for my mom's birthday.

• planing

• planning

• plaining

• planeng

Answer explanation

The word 'plan' is a one-syllable word ending in a single vowel and a single consonant (CVC). Therefore, you must double the final consonant 'n' before adding the '-ing' suffix.

In the word 'reread', what does the prefix 're-' mean?

• not

• before

• again

• full of

Answer explanation

The prefix 're-' means 'again' or 'back'. So, to 'reread' a book means to read it again.

Match each base word to the suffix that can be added to form a new word. You may need to apply a spelling rule, like dropping or keeping a final 'e'.

• -ible

• argue

• -ory

• response

• -ment

• advise

• -ous

• courage

Answer explanation

Each suffix combines with a base word, often requiring a spelling change. 'courage' + '-ous' -> 'courageous' (the 'e' is kept for the soft 'g' sound). 'response' + '-ible' -> 'responsible' (the 'e' is dropped). 'argue' + '-ment' -> 'argument' (the 'e' is dropped). 'advise' + '-ory' -> 'advisory' (the 'e' is dropped).

Which sentence uses the correct plural form of 'story'?

• My grandpa tells the best storys.

• I need to write two short stories for class.

• We read three storyes before bed.

• The book of story's was very old.

Answer explanation

To make a noun ending in a consonant and 'y' plural, you change the 'y' to 'i' and add '-es'. Therefore, the plural of 'story' is 'stories'.

Sort these verbs based on whether the final consonant doubles when adding '-ing': 'Double the Consonant' or 'Do Not Double'.

Groups:

(a) Double the Consonant

,

(b) Do Not Double

• read

• run

• dream

• hop

• eat

• sit

Answer explanation

Verbs with a CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) pattern like 'run', 'sit', and 'hop' double the final consonant. Verbs with a VVC (vowel-vowel-consonant) pattern like 'eat', 'read', and 'dream' do not.

When we were ________ the cake, we had to be careful not to spill the batter.

• makeing

• macking

• making

• makeeing

Answer explanation

When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel (like '-ing') to a word that ends in a silent 'e' (like 'make'), you must drop the 'e'. 'Make' becomes 'making'.

Which sentence uses a word with the '-ight' spelling pattern correctly?

• The sun is very brite today.

• He got into a fite at school.

• The future looks bright.

• I hope I get the answer rite.

Answer explanation

'Bright' is spelled correctly with the '-ight' pattern. The other options are common misspellings of 'bright', 'fight', and 'right'.