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Spelling:  Graphemes
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Spelling: Graphemes

Learn common graphemes for 11 Plus English. Spot digraphs and trigraphs in words, then read and spell them confidently during practice, quizzes, and real writing.

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Fascinating Fact:

Digraphs use two letters for one sound, like sh, ch, th, ai. Trigraphs use three letters, like igh, tch, dge. Learn them as single sound units.

In 11 Plus English, a grapheme is a letter or group of letters that represents a sound. Knowing common digraphs and trigraphs speeds up reading and improves accurate spelling.

  • Grapheme: The written form of a sound, such as a single letter or a letter group.
  • Digraph: Two letters that make one sound, for example sh, ch, ai.
  • Trigraph: Three letters that make one sound, for example igh, tch, dge.
What is a grapheme in 11 Plus English?

A grapheme is the written way we show a sound. It can be one letter or several letters, like sh or igh.

What is the difference between a digraph and a trigraph?

A digraph has two letters making one sound, such as th. A trigraph has three letters making one sound, such as tch.

How do I learn tricky digraphs and trigraphs quickly?

Group words by the same grapheme, say the sound aloud, and practise in short bursts. Reading daily helps the patterns stick.

1 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Caterpillar
cat
c
pillar
erpill
The 'k' sound is represented by the grapheme 'c'
2 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Leaf
le
lea
leaf
ea
The 'ee' sound is represented by the grapheme 'ea'
3 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Through
ough
Thr
Throu
Through
The 'oo' sound is represented by the grapheme 'ough'
4 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Rabbit
ra
it
rab
bb
The 'b' sound is represented by the grapheme 'bb'
5 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Mosquito
mos
os
ito
qu
The 'k' sound is represented by the grapheme 'qu'
6 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
School
ch
schoo
ool
scho
The 'k' sound is represented by the grapheme 'ch'
7 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Knock
nock
kno
kn
ock
The 'n' sound is represented by the grapheme 'kn'
8 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Ocean
ce
oce
cean
ean
The 'sh' sound is represented by the grapheme 'ce'
9 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Journey
jour
our
journ
urney
The 'ur' sound is represented by the grapheme 'our'
10 .
Decide which combination of letters is a grapheme for the given word.
Drought
drough
ough
ought
drought
The 'ow' sound is represented by the grapheme 'ough'
Author:  Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)

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