Silent Letters in Words

English · Spelling & Word Study · ages 9-10

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Which word has a silent letter at the beginning?
- trap
- wrap
- desk
Which letter at the beginning of the word 'know' makes no sound?
- k
- n
- o
In the word 'island', the letter s is silent, but we still write it.
Circle one: True False
Which related word can help you remember the silent g when you spell 'sign'?
- signal
- silent
- simple
Doubt is linked to the Latin word 'dubitare'. Which letter in that spelling helps you remember a silent letter in doubt?
- t
- d
- b
Look at these words: gnaw, jump, psalm, desk. How many have a silent letter at the start?
Answer: ______________
Ben wrote 'musle' for a body part that helps you move. Which letter belongs after the s?
- e
- l
- c
Mia wrote 'I will rite a story.' Which letter must she add to spell the word for putting words on a page?
- A silent e at the end
- A silent w at the start
- A silent k at the start

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

wrap · Wrap begins with a silent w. Trap and desk have no silent starting letter.
k · Know begins with an n sound. Its starting k is written but silent.
True · Island contains a written s even though you do not hear an s sound.
signal · Signal belongs to the same word family as sign. You can hear its g, which reminds you to write g in sign.
b · The b written in dubitare is a memory clue for the silent b in doubt.
2 · Gnaw starts with a silent g and psalm starts with a silent p. Jump and desk have no silent starting letter, so the total is 2.
c · The word is muscle. Its silent c belongs between s and l.
A silent w at the start · The sentence needs write. Add the silent w before r: rite becomes write.