Sound and Spelling in a New Language · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Say it the way the language writes it

Languages · Sounds & Conversation · ages 8-10
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A small mark on a letter can change its sound.

    Circle one:   True   False

  2. Which rule fits French final letters?

    • Every final letter must be sounded
    • Every final letter must be silent
    • Some are silent; others are sounded

  3. In the French word loup, how should you read ou using the pattern taught in the lesson?

    • As one oo-like vowel sound
    • As two English letter names
    • As a silent pair of letters

  4. You try reading an unfamiliar French word using patterns you know. How can you check your pronunciation?

    • Hear a reliable model and compare your reading
    • Use English letter names without checking French
    • Copy its letters without checking any spoken model

  5. Two possible spellings would sound alike, but one includes a silent letter. What can help you choose the word's correct spelling?

    • Listen again without looking at any writing
    • Check the word in a reliable dictionary
    • Always choose whichever spelling is shorter

  6. What happens while you say a nasal vowel?

    • A separate hum follows every vowel
    • Air flows through the mouth and nose
    • All air stops while the vowel is said

  7. In a practice guide, capitals mark the stronger spoken beat. The guide gives mi-RA, but Ana says MI-ra. What change matches the guide?

    • Make the first beat stronger
    • Make both beats equally strong
    • Make the second beat stronger

  8. English spelling rules alone are enough to pronounce every French word.

    Circle one:   True   False

LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_aLRdIL4V2_-s1

Answer key

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

Say it the way the language writes it W1-mt_aLRdIL4V2_-s1

  1. True · The word 'can' matters here. For example, a cedilla gives French ç the s sound before a.
  2. Some are silent; others are sounded · French final letters are not all treated alike. Some are silent and others are sounded.
  3. As one oo-like vowel sound · French ou represents one vowel sound, close to oo in food.
  4. Hear a reliable model and compare your reading · A speaker or dictionary recording gives a pronunciation model to compare with your reading.
  5. Check the word in a reliable dictionary · A dictionary's written entry can settle a spelling difference that the spoken sounds do not reveal.
  6. Air flows through the mouth and nose · Air passes through the mouth and nose during the vowel. A separate hum afterward would be an extra sound.
  7. Make the second beat stronger · RA is the capitalised second beat in mi-RA, so it should be stronger in this practice.
  8. False · French has its own sound-spelling patterns. Use those patterns and check unfamiliar words.
Worksheet · LightMySky