KS3 spelling words beginning at po - with portion and potion

Spelling Quiz - Words beginning with po... (Questions)

This KS3 English spelling quiz explores words beginning with po. Practise spotting patterns so you can choose the right vowels and endings when you write.

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Fascinating Fact:

Position and positive look similar at the start. Spell po-si-tion for where something is, and pos-i-tive for “more than zero” or “hopeful”, listening carefully for the different middle syllables.

In KS3 English spelling, you meet many words beginning with po, such as poetry, possible, population and polite. This quiz helps you notice letter patterns so you can pick accurate spellings in all your written work.

Key Terms

Root: The main part of a word that carries its core meaning, such as pop in popular and popularity, which can take different endings.
Prefix: A group of letters added to the start of a word, for example pre- in preposition, which slightly changes the meaning while keeping the root recognisable.
Homophone: A word that sounds the same as another word but is spelt differently and has a different meaning, like poor and pour or pole and poll.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How can I remember tricky po spellings at KS3?

Break each po word into syllables, say it slowly, then link it to a short sentence or picture. Regularly using look, say, cover, write, check helps fix spellings in long-term memory.

What spelling patterns appear in words beginning with po?

You often see po followed by consonants like p, l or s, as in happy, polite and possible. Spotting these common letter groups makes it easier to choose the correct vowels and endings.

Why do some po words look similar but mean different things?

Many English words share historical roots, so their spellings are close even when meanings separate over time. Careful reading of the whole word and the sentence helps you choose the correct spelling.

Try These Related Quizzes

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A place or location

[ ]	possition
[ ]	position
[ ]	positien
[ ]	positiun

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Of number, greater than zero

[ ]	possitive
[ ]	positive
[ ]	posative
[ ]	posertive

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Something that is owned

[ ]	possesion
[ ]	posession
[ ]	possession
[ ]	posescion

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The inherent capacity for coming into being

[ ]	potentiel
[ ]	potential
[ ]	potentiol
[ ]	potentiul

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

[ ]	povertty
[ ]	povarty
[ ]	povurty
[ ]	poverty

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To repeat an activity in order to improve skill

[ ]	practece
[ ]	practisce
[ ]	practise
[ ]	practice

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To petition or solicit help from a supernatural or higher being

[ ]	pray
[ ]	preay
[ ]	prey
[ ]	praiy

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The specific words or methods used for praying

[ ]	prayer
[ ]	praiyer
[ ]	preyer
[ ]	preayer

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Any animal that lives by preying on other animals

[ ]	predater
[ ]	predator
[ ]	predattor
[ ]	preddator

10.

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Like better; value more highly

[ ]	prefer
[ ]	preffer
[ ]	prefier
[ ]	prefere

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Spelling

Spelling Quiz - Words beginning with po... (Answers)

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A place or location

[ ]	possition
[x]	position
[ ]	positien
[ ]	positiun

How many words ending in -tion can you remember?

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Of number, greater than zero

[ ]	possitive
[x]	positive
[ ]	posative
[ ]	posertive

"Positive", like "negative", ends in -ive

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Something that is owned

[ ]	possesion
[ ]	posession
[x]	possession
[ ]	posescion

The word "possession" has double a double s! How many Ss is that?

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The inherent capacity for coming into being

[ ]	potentiel
[x]	potential
[ ]	potentiol
[ ]	potentiul

"Potential" is related to "potency". Can you think of any reasons why one word contains a t where the other contains a c?

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

[ ]	povertty
[ ]	povarty
[ ]	povurty
[x]	poverty

The e of the unstressed second syllable might be tricky here

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To repeat an activity in order to improve skill

[ ]	practece
[ ]	practisce
[x]	practise
[ ]	practice

Remember that "practise" is the verb and "practice" is the noun

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To petition or solicit help from a supernatural or higher being

[x]	pray
[ ]	preay
[ ]	prey
[ ]	praiy

Be careful not to confuse "prey" with "pray"!

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The specific words or methods used for praying

[x]	prayer
[ ]	praiyer
[ ]	preyer
[ ]	preayer

Add -er to "pray"