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Writing - Guess the Missing Sounds
Say the words aloud to find the missing sound!

Writing - Guess the Missing Sounds

Listen to the word, read the letters and decide which sounds are missing. Use digraphs like sh and ch to finish each word correctly.

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Fascinating Fact:

Digraphs matter too, as fi__ changes to fish when the /sh/ sound splashes in.

In KS1 English, children use sound clues to work out missing parts of words. They listen for digraphs such as sh, ch and th, then choose letter pairs to match each sound.

  • Sound (phoneme): A single unit of sound in a word, like /sh/ or /a/.
  • Digraph: Two letters that work together to make one sound, such as sh, ch or th.
  • Grapheme: The written letter or group of letters that show a sound in a word.
What is a digraph in KS1 phonics?

In KS1 phonics, a digraph is two letters that make one sound, such as sh in fish, ch in chips or th in thin.

How do children guess missing sounds in words?

Children listen to the whole word, say it slowly, notice the missing sound, then choose letters or digraphs that usually spell that sound in other familiar words.

How can I support missing sound work at home?

You can support this by playing word games, stretching out words together, writing fi__ or di__ on paper, and letting your child pick digraphs like sh or ch to complete them.

1 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 't_ds'?
ow
ie
igh
oa
Toads don't have teeth and begin life, just like a frog, as an egg.
2 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'tr_n'?
ay
ai
ie
ee
If you look closely at the large image, can you spot the two hang gliders? Doesn't that look exciting?!
3 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 's_p'?
oa
ao
ll
n
The 'oa' sound can also be made by 'ow'.
4 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'squ_k'?
ie
ae
ea
igh
The word 'squeak' and 'beak' both have the 'ea' sound. You also have the 'qu' sound within that word; remember q and u are always together!
5 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'swi_'?
n
g
gn
ng
Swings are often found in the park but there is also something called swing music, which sounds like jazz music.
6 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'tr_'?
ee
ea
e
ie
The trunk of a tree is protected by the outside layer, called bark. But trees don't bark, dogs do!
7 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'n_t'?
ie
i
igh
ai
The Earth spins and when it turns away from the sun, it is night time.
8 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'th_ns'?
ur
or
oa
oo
Thorns grow on rose bushes and some animals have thorns, like the crown-of-thorns starfish.
9 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'cr_n'?
ow
oh
ee
igh
The 'ow' sound can be both 'ow' as in 'crown' and 'ow' as in 'crow'.
10 .
Which sound is missing from this word: 'f_t'?
ie
ee
oa
ew
If you are talking about one foot, it's the sound 'oo' that is missing but here we are talking about a pair - we say 'feet' with an 'ee' sound.
Author:  Finola Waller (MEd, Primary School Teacher & KS1 English Quiz Writer)

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