5 – Minute Spelling Quiz (and improvement)
Today we have a two – minute spelling test, and a four – minute explanation of these difficult words! So, don’t scroll down yet, and make sure you are listening to the audio!
Either take a pen and paper, or write a ‘note’ on your computer somewhere. Write down the words as I say them. If you aren’t sure how to spell a word, just try your best…
Read this after you have written the ten words.
Perhaps you noticed a common theme among the words given to spell – double consonants. Now, check the proper spellings below, and give yourself a mark out of ten.
1. Across
2. Dropped
3. Opportunity
4. Possession
5. Beginning
6. Balloon
7. Recommend
8. Disappoint
9. Visiting
10. Accommodation
How many did you get right? Which ones did you get wrong?
Explanations
(2) follows the CVC rule which says that with a single-syllable word, like big, put, or drop (as above), will have a double consonant if the last three letters are Consonant Vowel Consonant. Eating doesn’t need a double consonant, because eat is not CVC. For more on CVC, see here.
(5) and (9) don’t follow the CVC rule because they aren’t single-syllable. With multi-syllable words, concentrate on where the accent is. If the stress is on the first syllable, (visit), then you won’t need a double consonant. If the stress is on the second syllable (begin) then you will need a double-consonant when adding the suffix.
Listen – stress on first syllable – Listening – no double n.
Prefer – stress on second syllable – Preferred – double r.
(3), (4), (5), (7), (8) and (10), all follow a rule about short and long vowels. Again, you have to know the pronunciation of the word. If a vowel gives a long sound, it is generally followed by a single consonant, but if a vowel gives a short sound, it is followed by a double consonant.
Diner – long /i/ sound – single consonant
Dinner – short /i/ sound – double consonant
If accommodation didn’t have double consonants, it could be pronounced ‘acomodation‘.
Beware – there are some double-letters in English that don’t follow obvious rules. English is a very mixed language – it’s roots are Germanic, but it has been very heavily influenced by Latin and Nordic languages. This has left it with many unexplainable characteristics!
Do you feel comfortable with double-consonants? Which ones do you still not understand? If we can help, let us know!
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