Family Relationships
Primary 6 · English
Family Relationships
Lesson 5 of 5
30 min
Some of the most common words in English refuse to follow the spelling rules. Said does not rhyme with paid. Was does not rhyme with has. Who does not sound like go.
You cannot sound these words out letter by letter. You have to know them by heart. The good news: there are not many of them, and you use them every day.
These lines come from Simbegwire and Family. Read them aloud. The tricky words are in bold.
1. “Where are you my child?” he called.
2. “Hello Simbegwire, your father told me a lot about you,” said Anita.
3. She was scared he might be angry, so she ran inside the house to hide.
4. “What happened, Anita?” he asked with a heavy heart.
5. They agreed that Simbegwire would stay with her aunt as long as she wanted to.
6. When it came to evening, she climbed a tall tree near a stream.
7. They wondered why they had to wear similar clothes or go to the same school.
8. If anyone needed help, they were to ask the others politely.
Answer each question in your head or in your exercise book first. Then tap Show answer to check.
Which bold words are question words?
where, what, when, why
All the question words above start with the same two letters. Which ones?
wh
One common wh word is not in the lines, and its wh sounds like /h/. Which word is it?
who (it sounds like “hoo”)
Which bold word has a silent l?
would (it sounds like “wood”)
| Word | Sounds like | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| said | “sed” | the ai says /e/ |
| was | “woz” | the a says /o/ and the s says /z/ |
| they | “thay” | ey at the end |
| could, would, should | “cood, wood, shood” | the silent l |
| who | “hoo” | the w is silent |
| what, where, when, why | “wot, wair, wen, wy” | the h is silent |
| were | “wur” | past of are: they were |
| one, two | “wun, too” | neither word looks like its sound |
| friend | “frend” | i before e |
| because | “bi-koz” | au in the middle |
| people | “pee-pul” | the silent o |
Tip
Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check. Look at the word. Say it. Cover it. Write it from memory. Check it.
Do three tricky words a day, and by the end of the week they are yours.
Write your answers in your exercise book, then check.
Correct the spelling: sed, becos, frend.
Answer: said, because, friend
Choose: (Where / Wear) is my blanket?
Answer: Where
Choose: The children hugged (there / their) aunt.
Answer: their
Which letter is silent in could?
Answer: l
Write one sentence that uses was, they and said.
Answer: Example: “It was a long journey,” they said.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
Which spelling is correct?
