USBORNE BETTER ENGLISH

•with tests and exercises •

Goodwill
B34
Books/Music-blue

4 '00604 00249 1
$2.49
 Victoria Parker
Designed by Diane Thistlethwaite
Illustrated by Kevin Faerber
Edited by Jane Chishom

Educational consultants:
George Phillipson and Jane Davage

CONTENTS
2 All about spelling 16 Soft and hard c and g
4 Vowel varieties 18 Ending errors
6 Puzzling plurals 20 Suffering suffixing
8 Sound spelling 22 ie or ei?
10 Silent spelling 24 Dangerous doubles
12 Confusing 26 Major mistakes
combinations 28 Answers
14 Perfect prefixing 32 Index
 a f All about spelling Q u lm

Niether or neither? Pursue or persue? easier than others, spelling is a skill

After using this book you will have no that can be learned. The fun tests in
doubt which are the correct spellings. this book will give you lots of spelling
Don’t despair if you think you are a practice. There are also guidelines
bad speller. Although some find it to help you avoid making mistakes.

User's guide Why is good spelling necessary?

Each double page in Spelling is an important skill for many reasons. Above all,
kthis book focuses it is vital to be able to spell correctly so that you do not
on particular confuse your reader. For instance, there are certain words
spelling problems. (called homophones) which sound the same, but which
Read through the have different spellings and meanings.
summary of guidelines at
The cereal was advertised The serial was advertised
the top of each left-hand
on television. on television.
page, then test your spelling
by trying the puzzles which
follow. The book has not
been designed for writing in,
so you will need some paper
and a pencil or pen for jotting
down your answers. You can
check them on pages 28-32.
Don’t worry if you make
mistakes. Just work through Other spellings are so similar that even a small mistake may
the book, then go back to make it difficult for your reader to understand you.
the beginning and try again.
You will definitely improve The desert was a generous The dessert was a generous
next time. helping of lemon meringue pie. helping of lemon meringue pie.

Watch out for boxes like

this. These contain words
for you to learn and test
yourself on. Some will bo
new to you, so have a
dictionary handy to check
up on what they mean As your spelling gets better, your writing style will also
and how to use them. improve, because you will be able to write with confidence,
using a wide range of words to express yourself.

Where does English spelling come from?

Modern English is a mixture of languages. has been affected by influences such as the
Long ago, the Ancient Britons spoke Celtic, growth of travel and trade, the World Wars
but over the centuries each of the peoples and the rise of broadcasting. For instance,
that invaded Britain contributed words from did you know that the word shampoo comes
their own languages. For example, skirt from India, studio from Italy, and parade from
comes from Old Norse, index from Latin, and Spain? English is still changing today, in
garage from French. More recently, English order to express new ideas and experiences.
-USEFUL TERMS-
What are vowels?
<r What makes a
spelling correct?
The five letters a, e, /, o and u are known as vowels.
The idea of "correct" spelling
When y sounds like “i" (as in sky) or “e” (as in jolly),
is not very old. Until the
it is also considered to be a vowel. The other letters of
18th century, people spelled
the alphabet, including y as it sounds in yes, are called
words however they liked.
consonants. Each vowel has two sounds: short and long.
They even thought nothing
Say the words below. The blue words have short vowel
of spelling a word in several
sounds. The red words have long vowel sounds. different ways in the same
piece of writing. When the
invention of the printing
press made written material
available to large numbers
of people, it became clear
that spelling needed to be
hat fence st/ck dog mud standardized, so everyone
knew exactly what a ivriter
meant. The first English
dictionary zoas written by
Samuel Johnson and
published in 1755. But the
patterns he defined were not
always consistent or logical.
So today, some words are
What are syllables? What is stress? more difficult to spell than
Many words have more than When you say words of others.
one vowel sound. Each part more than one syllable, you
of a word which has a usually put more emphasis
separate vowel sound is on one syllable than the
called a syllable. For others. For example, English has continued to
example, dig has one market, Invisible, change since then, as new
syllable, mar/ket has two expensive. This emphasis words have entered the
syllables, ex/pen/sive has is called stress, or accent. language and others have
three and in/vis/i/ble has Read out the words on dropped out of use. Also, the
four. Breaking a word down the shopping list spelling, pronunciation and
into syllables often again. Can you meaning of some words have
makes spelling hear where the gradually altered. This is why
easier. istress lies in there are differences between
Try counting each one? British, American and
the syllables in Check your Australian English. You will
the words on this answers on find that a few words can still
page 28. be spelled in more than one
shopping list, then
way (such as gipsy/gypsy).
check your answers
In these cases, use the spelling
with the ones on
you find easiest to remember.
page 28. Don’t look
But if you are surprised by a
at the number of
spelling, always check it. It
vowels in each word, may be misspelled, or even be
as this can be a different word. For example,
misleading. Just say each passed and past do not mean
word aloud, and count the the same thing.
vowel sounds you hear.

3
 O u Vowel varieties tKM
0 a o a

Vowel sounds are often spelled in spelled ea) or float (long “o" spelled
unexpected ways. For example, a long oa). The most common ways of
“e” is spelled by / in marine, but spelling vowel sounds are set out for
by y in tiny. Also, many vowel sounds you here. Look at these examples,
are spelled by two vowels together. then test yourself on the puzzles. You
For example, tread (short “e” can find the answers on page 28.

U short cat short set dead U short duck come young

long plate paid may long eat very demon long clue food prune
steak weight feel sardine fruit screw do
prey gauge piece ceiling coupon
0

0 short pop wasp laurel cough short fit syrup build

long stone soap toe throw long pie lime sky height

■ An eye for an i
Only a few words end in /'. These are mostly from the clues below? The first letter of each
from other languages. Can you spell some word is given to help you.

1 Two-piece swimsuit B 4 Writing and drawings 7 Snow-sport footwear

2 Trip to see animals on public walls 8 Short skirt
in the wild S 5 Car with driver 9 Beige-green
3 Thrown at parades C 6 Long, thin pasta 10 Type of spicy sausage S

Double trouble
Can you guess the half-spelled words in these speech

4
 One vowel short Silent e —
Which vowel is missing from each of these Some words end in an e which you do not
limericks?_ pronounce (such as same, concrete and
man with the arrive). This silent e is important because
T liv6_nab_at_nth6_c6an, it gives the vowel that comes before a long
But his p_tt little daughter, vSTW sound. For example, if you add a silent e to
Quite hate^ the water, «gSg the ends of hat, bit and pet, they become
Zc^e j *e up^wnmAn;-|8k hate, bite and Pete.
1 Take the silent e off each word below. Which
words have you now spelled? Do these new
words have short or long vowel sounds?

There was an old woman from E3_te,

use note fate spite made
Who played o_t of t_ne on the f|_te,
hope rate kite cute ripe
The noise was so bad 2 Now add a silent e onto these words, and
That it drove her qjte mad listen how the sound of each one changes.
And left her nable to toot. bar rag hug car fir
sag far par wag her
3 Which vowel is missing from each of
these words? Do they have short or long
vowel sounds?
Chin_se sh_pe wh_te teleph_ne
conf_se al_ne prod_ce al_ve
supp_se compljte esc_pe h_me
resc_e comb_ne b_the appetjte
celebr_te am se sev re supr_me

/ Ttlerewas7^ '-
I kept f f°U03 ^ nai^ed iizz
Here are some words in which the letter
BMfeDn/ yd°ctor,
y acts as a vowel. First, use a dictionary
to check any meanings you aren’t sure
of. Next, test your spelling by reading,
covering, then writing each word.
TIDY LYRIC STYLE
( r\ from
GOODBYE DYNAMITE TYPICAL
fhere wa furtherJ
SYSTEM CYCLE SATISFY
yjVio eor
DRY EYE BUTTERFLY
She tr_
HYSTERICAL CAPACITY RHYTHM
Sut J1
“Tour, LYNCH SYMMETRY DYNASTY
MERCY tyranny nylon
GYMNASIUM HYPNOTIZE APPLY
M THOLOGY NAVY OCCUP
CYM BALS SUPPL: syringe
named Mik PYTHON READY SHY
SYMPHONY tyrant dying
EMERGENCY hymn UNITY
CRYSTAL LUXURY rhyme
typewriter PRETTY lynx
pyramid CENTURY synthetic
ANONYMOUS IDYLLIC TYCOON

5
 ties es oes .
P plurals
m
ves es oes

The most usual way to make a apostrophe (’) to make a word

singular noun (naming word) plural. Apostrophes show the
plural is to add an s. For example, owner of something (such as my
word/words. But there are some daughter’s books). They also mark
other ways of making plurals missing letters. For example, the o
which are explained below. in are not is replaced by an
You should NEVER use an apostrophe in aren’t.

ies If a noun ends in y, look at the letter To make the plural of nouns which
before the y. If it is a vowel, just add an s end in ch, sh, s, ss, x or z, simply add es.
(as in monkey/monkeys). If it is a consonant, For example, torches, dishes, buses, kisses,
change y to / and add es (as in baby/babies). boxes and waltzes.

ves To form the plurals of nouns ending oes To make the plural of words ending
in ff, add an s (as in cuffs, cliffs). But for in o, add s if there is a vowel before the
words ending in for fe, change the for fe final o (as in zoo) or if the word is to do with
to v and add es (as in sheaf/sheaves, music (such as solo and soprano). Also add
knife/knives). Exceptions are: dwarfs, s to disco and photo (discos, photos) and
chiefs, griefs, roofs, proofs, beliefs and names of peoples, such as Filipinos. But
safes. Three words can have either when there is a consonant before the final
spelling: wharfs/wharves, hoofs/hooves, o (and the words do not fall into the above
scarfs/ scarves. categories), add es. For example, potatoes.

Spies in the skies

Two rival organizations have given their other change to ies. The agents cannot work
secret agents passwords which end in y. One out who belongs to which organization. Can
organization’s passwords can be made plural you help them by sorting out the passwords
by adding an s, while the passwords of the into two lists?

activity dictionary -trolley

century

cherry

opportunity

journey

6
 O! What now? — r words
Words which end in o have been replaced in this poem with In these sentences, words
pictures. Can you spell the plurals of these things? ending in f, fe and ff are
singular, but should be
plural. Can you spell their
plural forms correctly?
IF I WERE A MARTIAN AND I LIVED IN OUTER SPACE
I'D LIKE TO VISIT EARTH ONE DAY AND LOOK AROUND THE PLACE 1 It took him three puff
to blow out the candles
on his birthday cake.
I'D LIKE TO MEET AN AND VISIT HIS
2 “Put on scarf , take
handkerchief and
THEN TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA TO SEE A behave yourself,” their
mother said.
3 The hool of the galloping
I'D ROAM THE VAST AND GRASSY PLAINS TO FIND THE
horses thundered over
the race course.
AND TREMBLE AT THE BOTTOM OF A FIERY 4 Deciduous trees shed
their leaf every year.
I'D SUFFER FROM BITES IN HOT EXOTIC LANDS
5 The team played badly
in both half of the match.
6 The thief blew open all
AND I'D LEARN TO PLAY. AND I'D MARCH WITH BIG BRASS BANDS
the safe and escaped
with treasures worth
I'D HAVE A LITTLE VEGETABLE PATCH WHERE I COULD DIG AND SOW millions.
7 It is said that cats have
THEN WATCH/ » I AND
$ PLANTS TAKE ROOT AND GROW

AND JUST IN CASE ONE DAY I SHOULD FORGET THE THINGS I'D DONE
nine ife
8 The shelf were stacked
with loaf of bread of all
shapes and sizes.
9 At night in the mountains,
I'D BE SURE TO TAKE A OF EACH AND EVERY ONE they could hear wolf
howling.
SO WHEN THE TIME CAME TO RETURN TO WORK ON MY SPACE-STATION 10 King Henry VIII had
I SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THESE SOUVENIRS OF MY EARTHLY VACATION six wife.
11 Some very modern
cars come with sun oo

Singularly confused —— —Plural puzzler —

Words that were originally from other languages often have There are a few words
strange plurals. Do you know how to spell the plurals of the which have irregular
red words in these sentences? plurals. For example, one
louse becomes several
1 I fell asleep on the bus and ended up at the terminus lice. How many other
2 In the basket of mushrooms I had picked was a irregular plurals do you
poisonous fungus know?
3 Another name for a grub that turns into an insect
is a larva Some nouns, such as
4 My birthday cake was a huge, creamy, chocolate gateau sheep, stay the same in
5 I looked at the test and realized we had been both the singular and
taught the wrong syllabus plural. How many more
6 C02 is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide. words can you think of
7 The worst thing to do in a crisis is panic. like this?
8 People’s lives can be changed by the medium of television.
7
 ult k slum er Sound spelling air zhun uh k

Most sounds in English can be spelled the right spelling for a particular word
in more than one way. So choosing can be confusing.

K The sound “k” as in kid shun A “shun” sound is er/uh The ends of
is sometimes known as hard mostly spelled as in action, many English words aren’t
c. It can be spelled as in cat, mansion, mission, or stressed, so differences
kick, accordion, echo complexion. But watch out between them can be hard
and grotesque. for cushion, fashion, ocean, to hear. For example, the
0 * musician and suspicion. final syllables of the words
The sound “air” can farmer, similar, camera
be spelled as in chair, share, zhun “zhun” sound is and actor just sound like “er”
bear, there, their, and aerial. always spelled sion {as in or “uh”. The sound “er” also
occasion), except in words occurs in the middle of
“sh" sounds can be which describe nationality. words. In these cases, it can
spelled as in sure, rush, In these words, “zhun” is be spelled as in serve, earth,
option, issue, social, spelled sian (as in Asian, bird, word, purse, journey or
anxious and chef. Malaysian, Polynesian). February.

Conquer kicking k Are you an air-head?

Kevin spells all “k” sounds with only the There are eleven spelling mistakes in this
letter k. Can you correct his spelling? letter. Can you spot them?

Pear Gran,

Myfirsttimeonanereoplanewas .
„ ... n . whenI'm amillionair Im going
really exciting when 1 m *
t„ have own private jet. M^uitcaaawaa
bulging ■ Dad sags I'll never have time to wh
all the clothes and pears of shoes ve roug
But 1 still managed to forget mg hare brush,
Sue’s forqotten her teddy bare.
We have a lovely room to sha.r that looks
out on the sea-their are some rair birds to
spot along this part of the coast. We re gomg

to a fare tomorrow.
Take cair-we'll see gou soon,

Love,
 Er ...? Uh ...?
Forgetful Rachel has written two lists to help how to spell “er" and “uh” sounds. Which
her remember things. But she has forgotten letters are missing?

THINGS TO DO:
1 Cut out some pict_es of
famous act_s for my project.
2 Sign up for the class trip
to the theat_.
3 Ask my next-door neighb_ if
can look for my basketball
in his yard.
4 See if my sist_ will let me
wear her new dress on Sat_day.
5 Remind Amand_ that it’s
our t_n this week to look

■Be sure of sh, shun and zhurv

Can you complete this newspaper article by spelling a “sh’
“shun” or “zhun” sound to replace each numbered gap?

CRASH AND
k at SpeUham
1.. at SpeUham K i>W
•here was a “ t „ between two
ration this mornmg. 2 carried out
xpress trains. An reported bat an
m investiga-- ■■ ed signals a
■xplo.A- had dest No one was
unc 5- down the 1 wo bags of
tiurt, but in jhe co"£mone of the trains^ —
ca..7.. were stolen t g ^ t0 solve thi
The police are < appea^in§ pp. Qf two m \3 .e and
S-fJH**o"eY.ZS8&~»-
»*• fgrit? ?« w.w.1*&a _
■. :: --
 b C R H c k v h 1 )

You will almost certainly have seen So some letters became silent. Other
words spelled with letters that you silent letters, such as the b in doubt
don’t pronounce. These are often and the p in receipt, were deliberately
letters that used to be pronounced added during the Renaissance by
in Old English. For instance, before English scholars. They were trying
the 10th century, the k in knot, to make certain words look more like
the g in gnaw and the / in folk were the Latin words they had originally
all pronounced. Over the years, the come from.
pronunciation of some words changed, Here are some common-silent
while their spellings stayed the same. letters, showing when they occur:

“silent” b sometimes h can follow w (as in wheel), -V is sometimes silent in front

occurs after m at the end g (as in ghostly), and r(as in of h (as in who) and also
of a syllable or word (as in rhinoceros). It is also found before r at the start of a word
plumber or climb). It is also at the start of a word (as in (as in wrath and wreck).
found in debt, doubt, subtle. honor), between vowels
(as in vehicle), and after x, is silent before s, n or t in
C can be silent after s (as as in exhibit. words which come from Greek
in science and scent). (such as pneumatic). It can also
is sometimes silent before be silent after s, as in raspberry.
before n (as in knife, d, k or m (as in should, walk
knot and knitting). or salmon). S silent in island, isle, aisle

often comes before n (as M can be silent after m is sometimes silent after
in gnome and sign). (as in hymn). s (as in fasten).

Tongue twister teasers

Which silent letter is missing from each of How quickly can you say each one?
these nonsense tongue twisters?

6. R_ymin§' rythmical
I We wish we
r_inoceroses like
were w_ispeiing f r_inestones and
w_ales in w_ite r_ubarb.
w_irling waters.
7. The -retched g Around the solem_
3 po_k wa_k cha_ky -titer peaked his colum s the singers’
2. _nomes, _nats paths ca_mly stacking .rath by .renchmg s condem_edthe
and _nus all quiet qua_mless
the -tinkled Autum.
_nash and _naw sa_mon. _rappers from the
_narled _recked _ristwatches.
nutshells. 4. The _night who
_new the _nack of 9.G_ostly g_o^ls andg
i nitting _nots _nelt g_astly g_osts eat
with a _nobbly g erkins in g_oiilish
_napsack on the _noll
g_ettos.
5. The climjng
plum_er s thum_
grew num_.
 be ns be ns b

....... Conversation clues

Which silent letters are missing from the words in these speech bubbles?

Last week I had my pa..2..m read by Madame

Rippemovsky, the famous ..3..sychic. I was ag..4..ast at
the things she ..5..new. She told me all about my “keep the
countryside tidy” campai..6..n, also that I don’t like lam..7..
chops or egg yo..8..ks, and that ras..9..berries are the fruit
I like most. She ..10..new that I want to be a fashion
desi..ll..ner and that I’d seen an art ex..l2..ibition the
day before. She told me that I shou..l3..d look for my lost
s..l4..issors in my brown bag, and also that one day I
wou..l5..d sail on a ya..l6..17..t around forei..l8..n and
exotic i.. 19..lands with a tall, dark and han..20..some
stranger! I hope she’s ri..21..22..t!

Hear this
Certain words have letters which some of them from these clues. The first letter
people pronounce, but others don’t, such as of each is given to help you. Which are the
the o in factory. See if you can guess a few letters that are often silent?

1 Potatoes, carrots, peas... 8 UK politicians assemble here

2 The month after January 9 Machine for sucking up dust
3 A small-scale copy or model 10 This means out of the ordinary
4 Another word for precious 11 Custer was a famous one
5 The one after eleventh 12 A jewel
6 Dark, milk or white 13 Home for monks
7 Fahrenheit or Centigrade 14 The day after Tuesday

The sound of silence

Can you unscramble the jumbled names of There is at least one silent letter in each
the things pictured here? word. Can you spot them?

2 porbucad 3 nydhig 4 strewrel 5 kenrock

6 ceetrip 7 brusem 8 oybu 9 fenik 10 stacel

11
 HI Confusing combinations tch m

Some letters regularly occur together letters can spell different sounds,
in combination. But this can be while a single sound may be spelled
confusing, as one combination of by more than one combination.

gh Combinations such as ough, augh, qu After the Norman Conquest, French

and igh can be tricky, as the gh is heard scribes changed the Old English spelling
either as “f” (as in tough), or is silent (as cw to qu. For example, cwic and cwen
in light). The most difficult is ough, as became quick and queen. Also, in a few
several sounds are spelled this way. words, they spelled a “k” sound with que,
as in picturesque.
dge A “j” sound at the end of a word or
syllable is spelled ge if the vowel sound is tch Watch out for “ch” sounds at the
long (as in huge), or when there is a short ends of words or syllables. Where there is
vowel with a consonant (as in cringe). But if a short vowel and no consonant, “ch” is
there is a short vowel and no consonant, spelled tch, as in catch. The most common
use dge (as in dredge). An exception to exceptions are: such, much, attach, detach,
remember is pigeon. sandwich and bachelor.

Qu quiz
The king can only reach the queen to deliver his bouquet Do you know what all
if he can answer these clues correctly. Can you help him? these qu words mean?
Begin at number one, and find a word that includes qu for Test your spelling by
each clue. The first letter of each word is given in red. reading, covering, then
writing each one.

1. OFTEN, OR MANY TIMES F 2. NOT SEE-

H QUADRUPED
X LACQUER
73
OF SOMETHING Q 8. AN OPEN g O ACQUIRE
c SQUASH
z o
n X GROTESQUE
g TIED UPQ 14. AMOUNT
O
o QUOTA
O w ETIQUETTE
KEPT A ^ Q 19. STRANGE )P QUALIFICATION
Ul o in QUINTET
w 73
es O M EQUILIBRIUM
< 13. > o
HH > QUOTATION
N> in n
X
ci) U
O
H
z n MARQUEE
M n >
Ph
> n Z QUALM
Q O c
hJ w * INQUISITIVE
X O 73
O H
HH

Z 2 n QUILL
U in O
w
n z $ acquaintance
in n HH

w m O
z QUEUE
hJ n o
X hJ 0 33IM REQUISITION
<3\ > > QUERY
*
z
HH
HH EQUATION
'sO
a vaoania ONiAimvo-naiYM v z S
> QUINTESSENTIAL
a n QUALITY
0 isva n s 3jvhs aaais-naoa oi a m SQUADRON
nJ request
< H
u no anaaovaa s o an aAio ox no ni 3aid o
12
 qtt tch qu /c/'i qu tch
ge or dge?
choose ch or tch
The sound “j” is missing from the gaps here.
You can complete the article below by
Can you pick the right spelling for each one?
replacing each gap with either ch or tch.

et show fiasco Ki..l..en Pun..2..-up!

I A colle..l.. pet show ended in
Guests at a local hotel had only sandww3.es foi
lun..4.. today, as chefs Pierre
disaster last week. Besides the usual cats
Noir (Fren..5..) and Jan Van
and dogs, some rather stran..2.. entrants
Glyk (Du..6..) were fighting.
emer..3..d, including a he..4..hog, a ba..5..r, and a Noir accused Van Glyk of
rock in a ca..6J. The ju..7.. (Annie Mall, a local scor..7..ing his ..8..icken dish
vet) crin..8..d as a cat ate a mouse called Mi..9..t, by swi..9..ing up the oven.

and a parrot mana,.10..d to fly up to a high Van Glyk said he hadn t

tou..10..ed it and Noir was no ma..ll- for him
le..ll.., out of reach. Some people began to
anyway. The waiters wa,.12..ed and ,.13..eered as
^ fi,.12..t, and accused the
Noir ..14..ased Van Glyk, clu,.15..ing a bu,.16..er's
he..13..hog of having
ha 17..et. Van Glyk threw a ba..l8.. of eggs at
fleas. Its angry owner
Noir, who then poured ke,.19..up over Van Glyk's
said that such remarks head. The enraged Van Glyk pun..20..ed Noir,
did dreadful dama,.14.. who fell and hit his head on a ben.,21.., while Van
to people's ima..l5.. of Glyk pi..22..ed forward, wren..23..ing his ankle.

the creatures, and blows Both needed to be carried on a stre..24..er to an

ambulance. The police fe..25..ed them from the
'were7exchan.. 16-d. In the confusion, a puppy
hospital, where Noir received ten sti..26..es, and
called Smu..l7.. ran off with the ba..l8.. for first
Van Glyk, a pair of cru..27..es.
prize, and was later declared the winner.

The gh trap
The combinations ough, augh and igh are But which fits each gap?
 Perfect prefixing ,ui ir

A prefix is a group of letters (such But when all and well are used
as inter or sub) which you add onto as prefixes, one / is dropped. For
the beginning of a word to change example, all + ways = always, well
its meaning. Adding a prefix is quite + fare = welfare. But do not drop
straightforward - you usually keep all an / when well is used with a
the letters, even if the two you are hyphen. For example, well-made
joining are the same. For example, and well-off. On these pages you
dis + satisfied = dissatisfied, can test yourself on some of the
un + nerve = unnerve. most common prefixes.

Guesswork . —Picture this

Most prefixes come from Latin, Greek and Old English. Use the picture clues to
Knowing what they mean can often help you guess the guess the prefixes missing
meaning of a new word. Can you figure out the meaning of from the words below.
each prefix below by looking at the examples?

transplant transform transfusion 1 -pede

replace reunion recapture
hypersensitive hypertension hyperactive
2 -scope
postpone postnatal postgraduate
microchip microwave microscope
circumference circumnavigate circumstance 3 -circular
omnipotent omnivore omnibus
autobiography autopilot automatic
4 -natural
multinational multimillionaire multilateral
photograph photosynthesis photosensitive
anticlimax antifreeze antihero 5 -happy
prehistoric prejudge prepayment
extraterrestrial extrasensory extraordinary
6 -cycle
monorail monopoly monologue

Singled out 7 -sphere

Here are some less common Do you know what the
prefixes and their meanings: following words mean?

ante before/in front of 1 antebellum 8 -national

ultra extreme/beyond 2 ultramodern
pseudo false 3 pseudonym
demi half 4 demigod 9 -angles
homo the same/like 5 homophones
intra inside/within 6 intravenous
mega large/great 7 megastar 10 -marine
hypo too little 8 hypothermia
arch chief 9 archenemy
14
 Matching pairs- . Face the opposition —
Can you make words which match the Try forming the opposites of the words in
numbered descriptions by joining the prefixes capitals below by adding either un, il, im,
and words below? mis, in, ir, or dis onto the front of them.
1 below freezing 8 above the ground floor
2 junction 9 not to be relied upon
“How dare you OBEY me!’’ the king shouted.
3 below the earth 10 to come back again
4 naughtiness 11 to overcome something Cruelty to animals is completely
NECESSARY
5 not usual 12 action to avoid danger
6 deceitful, lying 13 happening twice a year Her writing was so bad it was LEGIBLE.
7 against the law 14 too many to count
The 16th century vase I had smashed
was REPLACEABLE.

Cats have very DEPENDENT natures.

It is very PROBABLE that we will have snow

in August.

Drugs are LEGAL in most countries.

Due to our CALCULATIONS, the carpet was

the wrong size.

I could see by the scowl on her face that

she APPROVED.

At present, it is POSSIBLE for men to have

have babies.

“Hurry up! Vie haven't got all day,” she

yelled PATIENTLY

——Precise prefixes ■— To waste paper is to be environmentally

RESPONSIBLE.
Try replacing each of these descriptions
with a word that begins with a prefix. We had the FORTUNE to miss each other at
the airport.
1 lots of different shades
2 to put off until later Although he regretted it, his decision
3 a self-written life story was REVERSIBLE.
4 fluent in two languages
5 an advance showing In both looks and personality, the twins
6 not cooked enough were SIMILAR.
7 to vanish
8 to translate a secret message The MANAGEABLE children ran riot in
9 forever the classroom.
10 to seek out information
used to be DECISIVE, but now I’m not
11 a disappointing ending
so sure.
12 not contented
13 unchanging level of sound
It is POLITE to open your mouth while
14 to change drastically
chewing your food.
15 flawed
 c g c c Soft and hard c and g g c c g c

Soft c An "s" sound before i, y or e Soft g The sound “j” before e, i or y

can be spelled with a soft c, as in concept, can be spelled with a soft g, as in gentle,
cylinder and circumstance. If a word finishes ginger and gymnastics. At the ends of words,
with a long vowel or a consonant followed the sound “jee” is spelled gy (as in biology)
by an “s” sound, it is often spelled ce and the sound “idj” is spelled age (as in
(as in trace and innocence). This is because manage). Acknowledge, porridge and
se at the end of a word usually spells a college are the most common exceptions
“z” sound (as in exercise). to remember.
* Exceptions include tense, precise,
collapse, expense, immense, response, Endings Here is a rule for adding
suspense and sense. endings to words which finish in soft c or g
followed by e (like face and stage). Drop the
Hardg A “g” as it sounds in green is final e if the ending starts with a vowel
known as hard g. In certain words, the letter (stage + ing = staging), but keep it if the
u separates a hard g from e or /' (as in guest ending starts with a consonant (face + less
and guide). Sometimes u also separates a = faceless). But when adding ous, keep e
hard g and the letter a (as in guarantee, after soft g (courage + ous = courageous),
guard and language). Certain words end with and change it to / after soft c (grace + ous
a hard g spelled gue (for example, fatigue, = gracious). Also keep the e when adding
rogue and league. able (as in peace + able = peaceable).

■Get guessing-
Meet private investigator
Guy Roper. He puts words Did you 7, 21, 5, 19, 19 it was me?
containing hard g sounds I’m so good at 4, 9, 19, 7, 21, 9, 19, 9, 14, 7
into code. Can you crack it? myself that even my 3, 15, 12, 12, 5, 1, 7, 21, 5, 19
don’t recognize me. 17, 21, 1, 18, 1, 14, 20, 5, 5 I’ll
solve any mystery, however 9, 14, 20, 18, 9, 7, 21, 9, 14, 7
it is. If you know where to look, you can always
find clues to 7, 21, 9, 4, 5 you to a
7, 21, 9, 12, 20, 25 person.
At the moment, I’m undercover as a musician -
that’s why I have a 7, 21, 9, 20, 1, 18. But unluckily
musical notes are a foreign 12, 1, 14, 7, 21, 1, 7, 5
to me. I have to be on my 7, 21, 1, 18, 4 all the
time so I don’t blow my cover.
Shhhh! Someone’s coming.
I’d better 7, 5, 20 away ...

Putting an end to it
Can you add endings to the words in capitals, Make any spelling changes you think are
so that the sentences read correctly? necessary to alter each word correctly.

1 Gandhi was a PEACE man. 6 I like hot and SPICE curries. 12 The stain is SCARCE visible.
2 I’m no good at SLICE cake. 7 Bright red is very NOTICE. 13 Tap DANCE is fun.
3 Our new house is very SPACE. 8 Small oranges are JUICE. 14 Firefighters are COURAGE.
4 His suitcase was UNMANAGE. 9 He GLANCE around nervously. 15 Try BALANCE on one leg.
5 Designer clothes are 10 The bull was CHARGE at me. 16 It is ADVANTAGE to speak
OUTRAGE expensive. 11 His JUDGE was too harsh. several languages.
16
*Turn to pages 26-27 to find out about certain words which end in ce when they are nouns, and se when they are verbs.
 Do you get the gist?
Use these clues to guess words with a soft g. The first letter of each is given for you.

1 The study of the Earth, its climate, You give someone this when you
and how people live G say you’re sorry to them
2 An animal with a long neck G 10 This is in the air you breathe
3 A likeness of something or 11 What you might call a person
someone, perhaps in a mirror selfish with money
4 Bacteria which make you ill G 12 A very tall person
5 Dull, dismal or dirty D 13 Used for binding up injuries
6 Where a car is kept overnight G 14 Fierce, wild or primitive
7 A line down the left side of paper M 15 A very intelligent person
8 Starting point, or beginning 0 16 Wire enclosure for animals

Spell soft c
In these three advertisements, words with soft c
have been jumbled up. Can you unscramble them? MERRMyrS CUCSIR
Crunch-U-Like

OPENS AT 8PM WITH A

facemintgin sicnosrope
gaze at the

°F KNIFE ™boweRs
TmcRArt °NC OF JUGGLERS
™eb^C?”RAPEZE artists
the blaneca of high-wire
’WALKERS

GASP IN ECMINXTEET
AANn^fAR SPINS ™° HUNDRED ASCURSE
ND/HARWN THE MARVELOUS STINYCUILC
^AKES A STEEP ACNEST UP A TIGHTROPE
OUR CIPEER OF LAUGH AT THE ENEXTCELL CLOWNS*
WE GUARANTEE YOU LL LOVE
crunchy osts and be DEEDVICE BY THE WORLD-FAMOUS MAGICIAN

ciyuj stuirc fruit chunks "THE GREAT /WYSTERIO”

_OR YOUR MONEY BACK!
SEE THE GREATEST SHOW OF THE TUNRYCE!
Sample the ceepa
of
Writington Nature Reserve
A A brf ^ show in our mini-minace rotnudesic '
the many different si epees you can see.
Wander around our curralic nature trail
at your own novinecenec.

17
 The ends of many English words are differences can be difficult to hear
not emphasized. This means that and so also to spell.

The endings able and Ible ise/ize You might see some words
are often confused, as they both sound and spelled both ize and ise (such as realize
mean the same (to be fit or able to). As able /realise). This is because in the UK both
is much more common, it’s easiest to learn are correct in many cases. In the US,
which words end in ible. But there are some however, ize is the usual spelling. But in
useful tips to remember. both countries there are some words
You usually drop silent e when adding which can only be spelled ise. These include:
able or ible. For example, use + able = advise, advertise, compromise, despise,
usable, sense + ible = sensible. But devise, disguise, enterprise, exercise,
remember that after soft c or g there is improvise, revise, supervise, surmise,
an e before able (for example, peaceable, surprise, televise.
manageable), but not before ible (invincible,
unintelligible). Also watch out for soluble,
which has neither a nor /'. ence/ance More words end in ence
or ent than ance or ant. After hard c or g
Words which end in the sound “cul” are use ance/ant (as in significance), but after
spelled cal if they are adjectives (such as a soft c or g use ence/ent (as in negligent).
medical and practical), cle if they are nouns Watch out for dependant - this means a
(such as circle), and sometimes also kle person who is dependent, with no
(as in tickle and fickle). independence.

wise or wize? Probably horrible

The “ize” sounds are missing from these Try replacing each numbered gap in this
sentences. But how should each one be unusual report with either able or ible.
spelled - ise or ize?

1 She was so thin I 9 I won first pr_ in ith the roof of mg convert-1- car O
Last night, 1 was driving w
hardly recogn_d her. the competition. vis..2_ in the skg. It landed O
down, when a strange light became
2 Exerc_ is good for 10 Our new puppy O „ uearbg flew, and I set off to litigate. An 1 drew nearer t. 0 |
you. was advert_d in ‘ ' n’t advis.A. to q
the newspaper. tire light, a spaceship became reeogntt.3. II w*»
3 The second edition 1 was unmov„5. at the terr.6. sight. Suddenly, q
_ liana around, but
has been rev_d. 11 When the actor o ?ared - whatever horr.,8.. things ^ 1
forgot his lines, a kind of collaps.,7.. ladder appear
4 The teacher had 30 he had to improv_. ^ were lurking Inside wanted to lie socl.9.. 1 didn t wait tn hnd oul ^
children to superv_.
12 I like taking part, 0 „■ t„e, were peaceJO... bn. ran la,Hid l* " " 0,
5 My friends organ_d but I desp_ losing. * mered li. Star, unbel.ev.13... as 1 have an reli.14..
a surpr_ party for me. gou find mg
s 16... and not at all gull-17-,
13 My big brother O proof. But 1 am sens.,15... respons.
6 The music store critic_s me. O never thought life In outer spate was poss.18... but this
special_s in pianos.
14 I went trick or , uufargeu.il>.- experience has made me change mg mind
7 Some snakes treating disgu_d
hypnot_ their prey. as a vampire.

8 The sales assistant 15 My brother

pressur_d me into custom_d
buying it. his bicycle.
18
\
 cul he a$e Ul cui able ul cul
-Possibly problematical
The clues below describe words which end word is given, to help you guess them. How
with a “cul” sound. The first letter of each is each word spelled?

1 What the p stands for in P.E. 7 Where your foot joins your leg
2 Round shape 8 A type of music
3 Something in your way 9 Single eye glass
4 Hanging finger of ice 10 Cars, trucks etc. are all types of this
5 Vegetables preserved in vinegar 11 Two-wheeled transportation
6 Of utmost importance 12 In the surrounding area

— ™" ■ Trail finder

The letters a and e are missing from the ance words through the surrounding ent and
words in this grid. Starting at the top left ence words, leading out at the bottom right
arrow, there is an invisible path of ant and arrow*. Can you find this path?

acquaint-nce resid_nce excell_nt accid_nt

confid_nce clear_nce cli_nt differ_nce serv_nt adjac_nt inst_nt sent_nce

differ_nce allow_nce evid_nt grievnce appar_nt import_nt obedi_nt fragr_nt

innoc_nt ignor_nt refer_nce defend_nt circumfer_nce frequ_nt pres_nce reluct_nce

sil_nt ramp_nt interfer_nce persever_nce

occurr_nce influ_nce exist_nce nuis_nce impertin_nt appearance

intellig nt perman_nt assist_nt appli_nce viol_nt disturb_nce promin_nt consequ_nce

differ_nce observ_nt audi_nce appar_nt abs_nce immin_nt prud_nt insol_nce

par_nt dilig_nt lieuten_nt attend_nc,e ten_nt resembl_nce insur_nce pret_nce

effici_nt conscLnce ambuLnce

conveni_nt

33
Here are some words which end in Test your spelling by reading, covering,
ible. Do you know what they all mean? then writing each one.

EXHAUST CONTEMPT IRRESIST REVERS

IMPERCEPT OSTENS PERMISS
NEGLIG
SUSCEPT TANG EXTEND
INDIGEST
FORC INDESTRUCT ACCESS
DISCERN
ED 31 FLEX INDEL
DIVIS
PLAUS INCORRIG FEAS
LEG
ELIG ADMISS FALL
DISMISS
INCOMPREHENS CORRUPT DEDUCT
REPREHENS

*The path can lead horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

 fill. 1 Suffering suffixing ftCSS

A suffix is a letter, or combination of way the word is used. You usually

letters, added onto the end of a word need to make some alterations in
to change either the meaning or the order to add a suffix.

If a word ends in silent e, drop the Many people find it confusing to add
e when adding a suffix which begins with a suffix to a word ending in y. The rule is
a vowel (for example, examine + ation = similar to the one for forming plurals (see
examination). But watch out for age + ing, page 6). Look at the letter before the y.
as both aging and ageing are correct. If it is a vowel, just add the suffix. For
Other exceptions include: acreage, singeing, example, enjoy + ment= enjoyment. If it is
dyeing, gluey, words to which able is added a consonant, change the y to /. For example,
(such as loveable), and words ending in luxury + ous = luxurious, heavy + ness =
soft c or soft g when ous is added heaviness, plenty + ful = plentiful.
(see page 16). But there are several exceptions
If the suffix begins with a to remember. Always keep a final y when
consonant, keep the e (for example, care + adding ing. So bury + ing = burying, but
less = careless). Exceptions to this include: bury + ed = buried. Also keep a final y
argue + ment = argument, awe + ful - before adding ish (as in babyish), and
awful, due + ly = duly, true + ly = truly, whenever the y sounds like long “i” (as in
whole + ly = wholly. shyly). When adding the suffix ous to pity,
beauty and plenty, you need to change the
OUS The suffix ous means “full of” final yto e, not /', as in piteous, beauteous
(as in generous - full of generosity). When and plenteous. Also beware of another two
adding ous to labor, you need to add an / exceptions: joy + ous = joyous and
(laborious). Also watch out for words which calamity + ous = calamitous. The letter y
end in f, as this changes to vwhen ous is unexpectedly changes to / in the following:
added. For example, grief/grievous, lay/laid, pay/paid, say/said, slay/slain,
mischief/mischievous. day/daily, gay/gaily/gaiety.

■. How about ous?"-. nHBHHBHNHMHMi

Try forming adjectives ending in ous from the nouns in capitals below.

Matthew is
a STUDY
pupil.

20
 tiess e rte$s

'Now you see it...

Sometimes a letter “disappears” when 1 curious + ity 9 waiter + ess
you add a suffix - usually a vowel in the last 2 hinder + ance 10 maintain + ance
syllable. For example, tiger + ess = tigress. 3 repeat + ition 11 winter + y
Try joining the words and suffixes opposite. 4 exclaim + ation 12 explain + ation
You will need to make a letter disappear 5 disaster + ous 13 monster + ous
from each one. (Beware of numbers 8 and 6 administer + ate 14 vain + ity
10. You need to make an additional 7 four + ty 15 remember + ance
change to each of these.) 8 pronounce + ation 16 nine + th

All's well that ends well -. -What to do with y

Can you add suffixes to the words in pink Follow these paths to find out which word
here, so that this letter makes sense? You leads to which suffix. Can you join them
will have to decide what to do with the silent correctly? Flow many other ways can you find
e on the end of each word. of joining these words and suffixes?

^'JmTtto invite ^ou to ^tMduj.

^Z^nX^^ There's un

rT 7Z'«*£*** *» * *
/W fr hi do the DSNS *>
enough for mPf>g\ith „ parents utout
don't have on Man- * * gp / ms USt

7ZtfZuZtM 1 com in. too p° ***

« km ns were on our test 31 AV

LoPs of love.
Miles
/AA/jTt p0 Tarn and 3Peve Poo.
r* f" saZF 7mu won't cole She's pite
hut ,ts UKt p t0 hemCldLl to
pjggyt and saijs if on nave
fiadpt

A real handful
When added as a suffix, full is skillful, spoonfuls, peacefully,
spelled ful (as in helpful). But beautiful, tasteful, joyfulness,
the suffix fully keeps the double useful, willfully, graceful,
/ (as in helpfully). Here are some
forgetfulness. Can you think
more examples: of any others?

21
 le or ei

ie/ei Many people have problems spelling There are some exceptions though, the most
words which include ie or ei. Remembering common of which are seize, weird, caffeine,
this rhyme can be helpful: species and protein.
/ BEFORE E EXCEPT AFTER C- But ie and ei sometimes make sounds
BUT ONLY WHERE THESE LETTERS other than long “e”. For example, ie and ei
SOUND LIKE LONG “E” can spell a long “i” sound (as in society and
For example, the long “e” sound in believe is height). Ei can also spell a long “a” (as in
spelled ie, but this same sound is spelled ei weight), or the sound “air” (as in their).
in perceive as it occurs after the letter c. Watch out for tricky spellings like these.

i and e quick quiz .

Use the picture clues to help you unscramble these words. Each one contains ie or ei.

1 ITHEF 2 HEGIT 4 DIFLE

5 ITE 6 FRAKEHIDENCH 7 DILSHE 8 ROSELID

JOs __1 - Missing pieces

Here are some words which include ie and ei. Look them Can you finish off these
up in a dictionary if you don’t know what they mean. words correctly? They all
Next, test your spelling by reading, covering, then writing include ie or ei.
each one.
1 Mrs. Jones and Mrs.
SURFEIT BELIEF GAIETY SIEGE Patel are next-door n_.
YIELD EXPERIENCE SKEIN FEINT 2 “Pat_ is a virtue,” the
RECEIPT FREIGHT DIESEL LIEUTENANT p_ told his congregation.
REIGN CONCEIT SIEVE ACQUIESCE 3 The E_ Tower is in Paris.
MEDIEVAL GRIEVANCE RETRIEVE BEIGE 4 Max is a very diso_ dog.
LIE PERCEIVE SHE K CONSCIENCE 5 Pirates’ gold is also
TIER RELIEF PIERCE SERIES known as “p_ of e_”.
EFFIC ENT WEIR CE LING THEIR 6 Santa Claus’s s_ is
CONVENIENT GE SHA BIER QUIET drawn by seven r_.
RECIPIENT MOVIES ORIENTAL RELIEVE 7 When the portrait was
ATHEiST EDERDOWN REND ALIEN unv_, they all saw it
SEISMIC PIETY SIENNA DEITY had gone!
8 He was h_ to the throne.
22
 ■oam
Check up on ie and ei—
The following words are replace each numbered gap? Finally, ie and ei have been
missing from “Fierce Next, see if you can left out of the horoscopes
Justice”: society, reprieve, rearrange the jumbled words below. But which combination
chief, brief, feigned, in “Tips for Tops” to find Dr. completes each word?
achievement, lenient. Can Ivor Cure’s hints for a
you choose the right one to healthy life.

Fierce Justice! TJOPS 1 Make sure your tide

BANK ROBBER SENTENCED TO 125 YEARS
contains plenty of
A judge has sentenced two men accused ot tirpone.
robbing a bank at gunpoint o men 2 Watch your theivig.
6 Spend some of your
prison. Throughout their ..1.. tua Reduce your
innocence, in the hope ot a ..A. - reelius time each
cholesterol intake -
week exercising.
But the judge said he it's bad for your seniv.
7 Meditate regularly, in
could not be ..4.. as the Drink dacefatfendie
order to reeveil stress
pair were obviously a coffee.
and texyain.
menace to ..5.y Eat a yearvit of foods,
8 Make sure you have a
Inspector Lawless said to make sure you get
bath or shower every
that putting these bad all the sunnitret
day. Personal heegyin
criminals behind bars necessary for good
is very important.
was a great ..7.. • health.

Star spot
Libra
Gemini S..9..ze the chance
Aquarius
You will
rec..l.-ve
a gift.
m The results of a
sc..5..ntific
experiment will
interest you.
for a new
exper..l0..nce.

Scorpio
It’s a good time
Pisces Cancer to begin learning
Don’t get too You will take a for..ll--gn
t..2..d up with ,.6..ther a boat language.
people’s or plane trip.
problems. Sagittarius
Leo Visit some
Aries Make a recipe anc..l2..nt ruins.
Have a night using unusual
out with ingred..7..nts. Capricorn
fr..3..nds. You will hear from
Virgo a distant relation,
Taurus Don’t let a perhaps a nephew
Watch out for stranger nr n I3..ce.
counterf..4..t dec..8..ve you.
money.
Words with double letters (such as more difficult. It depends on the
necessary) are confusing to spell. number of syllables in a word and where
But knowing whether to double a final the stress lies. There are also special
letter when adding a suffix is even rules for words ending in r and fer.

one When adding a suffix to a word of one V A final r stays single if the stress is on
syllable, a short vowel sound and one final the first syllable (for example, offer/offering).
consonant* you do not normally double the If the stress is on the second syllable, double
final letter. For example worship/worshiped/ the r{for example, occur/occurring). But if
worshiping. Watch out for exceptions to this there are two vowels before the r, leave it
rule such as gladden, woolly and crueller. If single (as in despair/despairing).
you are unsure, check in a dictionary.
r
two For two-syllable words which end in
In two-syllable words which end in fer, one consonant* (such as pilot), don’t double
the stress sometimes changes from the final the final letter if the stress falls on the first
syllable to the first syllable when a suffix is syllable (for example, pilot + ing = piloting,
added. In these cases, do not double the gallop + ed = galloped). When the stress lies
final r. For example, refer +ee = referee, on the second syllable, double the final letter
prefer +able =preferable. When the if the suffix begins with a vowel, but leave it
stress does not change place, use the single if it begins with a consonant. For
rule for words ending in r. For example, example, regret + ing = regretting, but
refer + ing = referring. regret + fully = regretfully.

’Missing doubles
Double b, c, d, f, g, I, m, n, p, r, s, t and z
are missing from the pages of this story. But
which do you need to complete each word?

I a..40..ived at a sha..41..y li..42..1e co..43..age.

I had had a fu..l..y feeling about things from the I knocked, cautiously, but there was no reply.
begi 2 ing. I had mi..3..ed my co..4..ection - the Su..44..re..45..ing my nerves, I heaved the door
last train till morning, so asked someone (a open with a great e..46..ort, and ste..47..ed into a
sma.,5.. man with a shifty a..6..earance and a dark pa..48..age. On my i..49..ediate right stairs
nervous ma..7..er) to reco..8..end a hotel. Leaving led down - I a..50..ume to the ce..51..ar. An
my lu..9..age, I set off. The weather was o..52..ensive sme.,53.. came wafting up. In a room
ho..l0..ible - to..ll..ential rain poured down my to my left, a table was set with food and a cup of
co..l2..ar and co..l3..ected in my boots, while the co..54..ee - still warm. I was pu..55..1ed as to
wind whi..l4..ed around me. After walking why the o..56..upant had left in such a hu..57 y.
for ages down a deserted road, with no sign of But before I could satisfy my a..58..etite by
any a ,15..o..l6..dation, I was ge..l7..ing i„18..itable a 59 acking the food, I realized with a shu..60..er
and depre..l9..ed. Su..20..enly, I saw da..21..1ing that I was not alone! I turned around to find
headlights coming from the o..22..osite direction, myself looking down the ba..61..el of a gun. A
a 23 empted to a..24..ract the driver's a..25..ention, man with a ha..62..ard expre..63..ion was calmly
but the car a..26..elerated as it a..27..roached! I leapt
si..64..ing by the door, behind me. I hoped he
out of the way, just avoiding a co..28..ision, and didn't have an itchy tri..65..er finger . I could tell
ho..29..led to the side of the road. Having he was a profe..66..ional vi..67..ain by the way he
na 30..owly avoided a te..31..ible a..32..ident, I said, "Don't make it nece..68..ary for me to shoot
was also u..33..erly lost. What was I to do? Just you " I didn't like his a..69..itude one bit. But as
then, I noticed a light in the distance. I my mo..70..o is "never say die," I determined to
trudged towards it through the su..34..oundmg try to escape at the first o..71..ortunity, or find a
darkne..35.„ over pe..36..1es and through way to get a me..72..age to someone, somehow.
pu..37..1es of mu..38..y water, until eventua..39..y
—

*When a word ends with two consonants, the final letter always stays
single. For example, start + ed = started, prevent + ing = preventing.
 gg ^ tfo gg bb

"Doubling decisions
Watch out for the double Here is an interview with Bob Barley, singer with The Howlers.
letters in these words: To make it read correctly, try adding an ending to each word in
ACCURATE capitals. But watch out for any letters that need to be doubled.
VACCINATE
PROFESSION Q How did you ) Do you ever think of
IRRITATE IA become a star? QUIT the business?
DESICCATE Ha A I can DIM
1 As I get OLD, I do think
remember asking about STEP down and LET
SUGGEST for a guitar when the youngsters take over.
POSSESS I was three. I But although my hair's GET
AGGRESSION SHOW that I was THIN, I'm not giving up yet.
REAL talented as > When can we expect a new
EMBARRASS
soon as I START album from The Howlers?
ADDRESS playing.
We've just SCRAP our latest
INFLAMMABLE ) Have you had any setbacks?
material to try a change of
1 In the BEGIN things moved
DISSECT direction. We're JAM in the
SLOW and I had HARD any
studio at the moment.
APPLAUSE money. But FAIL never CROSS
What s your DEEP fear?
ACCURATE my mind. I GRAB the chance of
DROP out of the charts and
RECORD my first single, "I'm my fans FORGET me.
CORRESPOND FALL for you babe", and I
What are your REMAIN aims?
NECESSARY never LOOK back.
I want to be an even BIG star!
ERROR What do you like best about
your job?
ASSESS TRAVEL the world and SING live.
COMMAND HEAR the crowd CHEER at the
QUESTIONNAIRE OPEN of a concert is the GREAT
FEEL in the world, man.
COMMUNICATION How do you like to spend
EXAGGERATE Sunday?
A STAY in bed and FLIP through
INTERRUPT
the newspapers while SIP a
DISAPPOINT cup of coffee.
ECCENTRIC What's the worst aspect of being
famous?
INTERROGATE
Being SPOT by fans and MOB
SUCCEED wherever I go.
PARALLEL

Problem patterns
Here are some difficult spelling patterns. the missing consonants should be single or
Look at the base word, then decide whether double in the words which follow.
1 deter dete_ed 7 common commo_er 12 cruel crue_er
detejng commo_est crue_est
dete_ent commo_ess crue_y
2 fit fi_est 8 bat ba_er crue_ty
fijng ba_ed 13 star sta_dom
fi_fully bajng sta_ed
3 open ope_er 9 forget forge_able stajng
opejng forgejng 14 commission commissio_er
ope_ess forge_ful commissiojng
4 model mode_ed 10 commit commi_ee 15 defer defe_ed
modejng commijng defejng
5 occasion occasio_al commi_ment defe_ment
occasio_ally 11 occur occu_ed defe_able
6 hop ho_ed occujng 16 happen happejng
ho_ing occu_ence happe_ed
25
 c there s Major mistakes c there s c

Here are some especially difficult correctly, you can be sure that you are
tests. If you can answer all these an excellent speller!

A few words there/there's/their/theirs/they're

are spelled with cwhen they These spellings are very often confused. There is the
are nouns, but with s when opposite of here. Their and theirs show ownership (for
verbs. For example, advice example, their books, and the books are theirs). They’re is
and advise, device and short for they are. There’s can mean two things: it is usually
devise, prophecy and short for there is, but when followed by been, it is a short
prophesy. Notice how the form of there has.
pronunciation changes
slightly with the spelling. Homophones Homophones are words which sound
This will help you choose the the same, but which have different spellings and meanings.
correct spelling for the way For example, there, their and they’re', no and know; past and
the word is being used. passed; threw and through.

Can you do better?'

Watch out for words which Here is Ike Canspeilit’s report card. His teachers have made
have an “f” sound spelled a lot of spelling mistakes - can you spot them all?
ph. Here are some for you
to test yourself on.

PHASE K,-. Ike CMepellit . Class Grade

Comments _ ^ _-r-m ssssst
ORPHAN Subject

PHOBIA ■|te ig skillfull 0n the football fwW an* in the aiming

SPORTS
pool.
GRAPH
nore self-disiplin and practice are neccesarx but Ike
CENOTAPH rtUSIC
has a good scents of rithum.
PHYSIQUE
ivr IN10YS BOTH TRADGEDY AND COMIDY
EPITAPH drama andTa talented caracter acter.
SPHERE
Ike has benifitted from atending extra
ELEPHANT MATH classes. He has definitely improoved, but
makes fawlts threw carelesness
PHONOGRAM
PHANTOM Ike's prodject on equitorial rain forrest's was very
JOGRAPHY
NEPHEW nollidgible.
Ike is anintrested in sience and looses consentration
MICROPHONE SCIENCE
easily. He also displays a tendancy to talk. During
NYMPH practicle work in the laboratry he medals with the
PHRASE ecqipment. His techneeks are very disapointrng.

PARAGRAPH
Ike has a thurugh under standing of the ***£«£“•
HISTRY
PHEASANT espeshally of the lifes of the Roman emporer&Heh
enjoyed lerning about the gods and godeses of Greek
PHLEGM
mitholojee.
CATASTROPHE
Altho Ike makes Vittel errers in his grammer,
METAPHOR INGUSH
his creativ riting is genrally exsellent. His
discretions are perseptive and ofen humoru^W Have
PAMPHLET
been greatful for his asistence in the l.bry this ye .
PARAPHERNALIA As usuall, Ike is top of the class at spelling.
APOSTROPHE
PHARMACY
PHENOMENON
Signature AAs V. Unfriendly
PHYSIOTHERAPY
DIAPHRAGM

26
 Noun or verb? Sound-alike
Try replacing each of the Can you pick the correct spellings from the homophones on
gaps in these sentences with this page of Wendy’s diary?
either c or s. In order to pick
the right spelling, you need 5th April
to decide whether each word
with a missing letter is a
noun or a verb.
twoltoltoo. He wa- fpa55ed/past
1 He had devi_ed a cunning ready there Hr ■ aready/al1
plan.
2 I advi_ed her not to give up
trying.
/coarsel It °' Course
3 Whoever devi_ed the alarm
clock was very clever. It is aj
ato"9t'KteacbiJlT nA
useful devi_e. said I’d aroan/r
" "^ay. He
4 A clairvoyant prophejed myj
future, but I will be very
mc ZtThedlast
surprised if her prophe_y Z!^chl\S0Ztry
comes true. ^‘■4= "d tolled,Zj
are-He
5 She took absolutely no
notice of my excellent
advi e.

Can you get there?

Can you think of shorter ways to say the You will have to use there, there's, their,
underlined parts of these sentences? theirs, or they’re in each one.

1 Look! There is Michelle! 7 Drop it! It’s the one belonging to them.
2 Look at that, over in that direction! 8 There has been a snowfall overnight.
3 I know they are going away today. 9 I liked the friends belonging to them.
4 The house belonging to them is huge. 10 Have some more. There is plenty left.
5 I want one just like the one they have. 11 I hate going to that place.
6 There has been a dreadful accident. 12 They are always arguing.

The final frontier PECULIAR

perseverance
Here are just a few of the most commonly misspelled words. Why not
POSSESSION
make your own list of difficult spellings? PREJUDICE
escent PURSUE
^ calibre AoScneR PRIVILEGE
■^OMMODMION
calendar
Acknowledge
CAMOUFLAGE gases questionnaire
AERIAL CARICATURE
CEMETERY RECOMMEND
Ggua^eE RHYME
AuSgeth® COLONEL
amateur CONSCIOUS
criticism SABE* secretary
SEPARATE
AWKWARD DECREPIT SILHOUETTE
ElAtSON SURPRISE
descendant
bachelor dissuade uquee®1 2 3 4 5 6 VACUUM
BANKRC
BEAUHTCL MEDIEVAL VEHICLE
ENVIRONMENT
BUSINESS EXERCISE VICIOUS
exhaust
 0! What now?
Eskimo/Eskimos mosquito/mosquitoes
What are syllables? igloo/igloos piano/pianos
one syllable: soap, bread, milk, eggs, cheese kangaroo/kangaroos potato/potatoes
two syllables: tooth/paste, pea/nuts, cof/fee, buffalo/buffaloes tomato/tomatoes
hon/ey, on/ions volcano/volcanoes photo/photos
three syllables: de/ter/gent, lem/on/ade,
to/ma/toes, ba/na/nas, Singularly confused
or/an/ges 1 termini 4 gateaux 6 formulae
four syllables: mac/a/ro/ni, cau/li/flow/er 2 fungi 5 syllabi or 7 crises
3 larvae syllabuses 8 media
What is stress?
tooth/oaste. oea/nuts, hon/ev. cof/fee. on/ions, F words
de/ter/gent. lem/on/ade, to/ma/toes. ba/na/nas, 1 puffs 6 thieves, safes
or/an/ges, mac/a/ro/ni, cau/li/flow/er 2 scarfs or scarves, 7 lives
handkerchiefs, 8 shelves, loaves
yourselves 9 wolves
3 hoofs or hooves 10 wives
An eye for an / 4 leaves 11 roofs
1 bikini 3 confetti 5 taxi 7 ski 9 khaki 5 halves
2 safari 4 graffiti 6 spaghetti 8 mini 10 salami
Plural puzzler
Double trouble Irregular plurals include: mice, men, women, geese,
children, teeth, feet
Words that are the same in both the singular and the
plural include: deer, salmon, trout, grouse, moose,
news, pants, tights, trousers, scissors, fish,
mathematics, series, species, innings

.-Pages 8-9
Conquer kicking k Are you an air-head?
Kevin likes:
snakes and crocodiles
One vowel snort hearing his voice echo
1 o is the missing vowel 4 y is the missing vowel picnicking in the park
Dear (trim.
2 u is the missing vowel 5 / is the missing vowel books about shipwrecks
3 a is the missing vowel 6 e is the missing vowel doing magic tricks Mu first time on an aeroplane w«-s

climbing trees
going to have mg °"n private
Silent e Kevin dislikes: saurase was bulging - Had sags 1U neve
1 The new words are: us, not, fat, spit, mad, hop, rat, acting in school plays [have lime to wear all the clothes and I*0 ^ °
Shoes l\e brought. Bull still managed to
kit, cut, rip singing in the choir S|bryet mg hair brush, and Sue s forgotten her
These all have short vowel sounds. losing his train ticket
The new words are: bare, rage, huge, care, fire, stomachache ,U'\Vc ha\e a loielg room to share dral
looks out on the sea- there are some rare
sage, fare, pare, wage, here cornflakes, chicken birds to spot along this pari of iheeoasl.
The completed words are: Chinese, shape, white, and broccoli We re going to a fatr tomorrow-
Take care-well see gou soon.
telephone, confuse, alone, produce, alive, suppose, chemistry lessons
Lo\c.
complete, escape, home, rescue, combine, bathe,
Donna XXXXXXXN^
appetite, celebrate, amuse, severe, supreme Er...? Uh...?
These vowels all have long sounds because
of the silent e on the end of each word. THINGS TO BUY: THINGS TO IX):

[tea, sugar, butter, Cut out some pictures of famous

flour, tuna, bananas, actors lor mg project.

Pages 6-7 hamburgers, marmalade, 2 Sign up lor the class trip

chocolate flavor milkshake, to the theater.

3 Ask mg next-door neighbor
Sp/es in the skies writing paper and envelopes,
ifl can look lor my
an eraser, a ruler and a
the ys organization: convoys, essays, toys, holidays, pair of scissors. basketball in his garden.

valleys, keys, displays, delays, trolleys, abbeys, 2 gurds of purple ribbon. 4 See if mg sister will let me

Him lor mg camera, wear her new dress on Saturday.

journeys 5 Remind Amanda that it’s
a packet of cake mixture,
a batterg for mg calculator, our turn this week to look
after the earthworms in
the ies organization: activities, bullies, enemies, allies, a birthday present
for Samantha the science room. (A uk!)
flies, factories, dictionaries, replies, bodies, parties,
cherries, opportunities, centuries, galaxies
Be sure of sh, shun and zhun the gh trap
1 collision 7 cash 13 mustache
x I can’t help \
2 electrician 8 anxious 14 official laughing at the
3 investigation 9 information sight of my
15 expression naughty daughter
4 explosion 10 issued 16 initials
5 junction 11 description 17 chauffeur
6 confusion 12 suspicion

Pages 10-11
Tongue twister teasers
lh 2 g 31 4k 5b 6 h 7 w 8 n 9 h

Conversation clues
1 what 8 yolk 15 would
2 palm 9 raspberries 16/17 yacht -Pages 14-15
3 psychic 10 knew 18 foreign
4 aghast 11 designer 19 islands Guesswork
5 knew 12 exhibition 20 handsome trans across/beyond auto self
6 campaign 13 should 21/22 right re again multi many/much
7 lamb 14 scissors hyper too much photo light
post after anti against/opposing
Hear this micro very small pre before
1 vegetable 6 chocolate 11 general circum around extra beyond/outside
February 7 temperature 12 diamond omni all mono single
miniature 8 parliament 13 monastery
valuable 9 vacuum 14 Wednesday Singled out
twelfth 10 extraordinary 1 antebellum before the Civil War
2 ultramodern - extremely modern
The sound of silence 3 pseudonym - a false name, such as used by
1 bomb 5 knocker 9 knife an author
2 cupboard 6 receipt 10 castle 4 demigod - a half-human, half-immortal being
3 dinghy 7 crumbs 5 homophones - words which sound the same
4 wrestler 8 buoy 6 intravenous - within a vein
7 megastar - a very famous personality
Pages 12-13 ■■■■■■■■MM 8 hypothermia - abnormally low body temperature
9 arch enemy - chief enemy
Qu quiz
1 frequent 8 quarry 15 squander Picture this
2 opaque 9 unique 16 aqueduct 1 centi 3 semi 5 un 7 hemi 9 tri
3 squirrel 10 square 17 quarrel 2 tele 4 super 6 bi 8 inter 10 sub
4 quit 11 quick 18 quartet
5 tranquil 12 conqueror 19 queer Matching pairs
6 aquarium 13 quay 20 queen 1 subzero 6 dishonest 11 surmount
7 quarter 14 quantity 2 interchange 7 illegal 12 precaution
ge or dge? 3 underground 8 upstairs 13 biannual
1 college 7 judge 13 hedgehog 4 misconduct 9 irresponsible 14 innumerable
2 strange 8 cringed 14 damage 5 extraordinary 10 return
3 emerged 9 Midget 15 image
4 hedgehog 10 managed 16 exchanged Precise prefixes
5 badger 11 ledge 17 Smudge 1 multicolored 6 underdone 11 anticlimax
6 cage 12 fidget 18 badge 2 postpone 7 disappear 12 dissatisfied
Choose ch or tch 3 autobiography 8 decode 13 monotone
1 Kitchen 10 touched 19 ketchup 4 bilingual 9 always 14 transform
2 Punch-up 11 match 20 punched 5 preview 10 research 15 imperfect
3 sandwiches 12 watched 21 bench
4 lunch 13 cheered 22 pitched Face the opposition
5 French 14 chased 23 wrenching disobey, unnecessary, illegible, irreplaceable,
6 Dutch 15 clutching 24 stretcher independent, improbable, illegal, miscalculations,
7 scorching 16 butcher’s 25 fetched disapproved, impossible, impatiently, irresponsible,
chicken 17 hatchet 26 stitches misfortune, irreversible, dissimilar, unmanageable,
8
9 switching 18 batch 27 crutches indecisive, impolite

29
 abed g h i Answers /k m n o pq
Pages 16-17 Pages 18-19
Get guessing w/se or wize?
Did you guess it was me? 1 recognized 6 specializes 11 improvise
I’m so good at disguising myself that even my 2 exercise 7 hypnotize 12 despise
colleagues don’t recognize me. 1 guarantee I’ll solve 3 revised 8 pressurized 13 criticizes
any mystery, however intriguing it is. If you know 4 supervise 9 prize 14 disguised
where to look, you can always find clues to guide 5 organized/ 10 advertised 15 customized
you to a guilty person. surprise
At the moment, I’m undercover as a musician - that’s
why I have a guitar. But unluckily, musical notes are a
foreign language to me. I have to be on my guard all Probably horrible
the time so 1 don’t blow my cover. 1 convertible 8 horrible 15 sensible
Shhhh! Someone’s coming. 2 visible 9 sociable 16 responsible
I’d better get away... 3 recognizable 10 peaceable 17 gullible
4 advisable 11 understandable 18 possible
Putting an end to it 5 unmovable 12 incredible 19 unforgettable
1 peaceable 9 glanced 6 terrible 13 unbelievable
or peaceful 10 charging 7 collapsible 14 reliable
2 slicing 11 judgement
3 spacious or judgment Possibly problematical
4 unmanageable 12 scarcely 1 physical 5 pickle 9 monocle
5 outrageously 13 dancing 2 circle 6 critical 10 vehicle
6 spicy 14 courageous 3 obstacle 7 ankle 11 bicycle
7 noticeable 15 balancing 4 icicle 8 classical 12 local
8 juicy 16 advantageous
Trail finder
Do you get the gist? The letter a is missing from: acquaintance,
1 geography 7 margin 13 bandage clearance, allowance, ignorant, rampant, defendant,
2 giraffe 8 origin 14 savage grievance, servant, important, instant, fragrant,
3 image 9 apology 15 genius reluctance, perseverance, appearance, disturbance,
4 germs 10 oxygen 16 cage nuisance, appliance, assistant, observant, lieutenant,
5 dingy 11 stingy attendance, tenant, resemblance, insurance,
6 garage 12 giant ambulance. The letter e is missing from all the
other words in the grid. The path looks like this:
Spell soft c
Crunch-U-Like. Try our new cereal!
We guarantee you’ll love our recipe of crunchy oats
and juicy citrus fruit chunks or your money back.

Merriman’s Circus opens at 8pm with a

magnificent procession.
Gaze at the precision of knife throwers, the
concentration of jugglers, the grace of trapeze
artists, the balance of high-wire walkers.
Gasp in excitement as Stevie Star spins two
hundred saucers and Marvin the Marvelous
unicyclist makes a steep ascent up a tightrope.
Laugh at the excellent clowns!
Be deceived by the world-famous magician “the Pages 20-21'
Great Mysterio’’.
See the greatest show of the century. How about ous?
1 glamorous 5 studious 9 rigorous
Sample the peace of Writington Nature Reserve. 2 dangerous 6 anxious 10 cautious
A brief film show in our mini-cinema introduces the 3 mountainous 7 mischievous
many different species you can see. 4 humorous 8 laborious
Wander around our circular nature trail at your own Now you see it..
convenience. 1 curiosity 7 forty 13 monstrous
Don’t forget to visit the swannery where you can 2 hindrance 8 pronunciation 14 vanity
watch cygnets and parent swans in their natural 3 repetition 9 waitress 15 remembrance
habitat. 4 exclamation 10 maintenance 16 ninth
Why not stop for refreshment at our self-service 5 disastrous 11 wintry
cafe? See you soon! 6 adniinistrate 12 explanation
30
 y z a b c ef h n o
All’s well that ends well 25 attention 41 shabby 57 hurry
writing, celebration, amusement, renovation, exciting, 26 accelerated 42 little 58 appetite
amazing, scary, extremely, daring, revolving, imagine, 27 approached 43 cottage 59 attacking
adventurous, driving, argument, useless, persuading, 28 collision 44/45 60 shudder
tiring, noisy, behaviour, sensibly, coming, hoping, 29 hobbled suppressing 61 barrel
truly, invitations, likely, nervous, ridiculous 30 narrowly 46 effort 62 haggard
31 terrible 47 stepped 63 expression
What to do with y 32 accident 48 passage 64 sitting
worry + ing = worrying sly + ly = slyly 33 utterly 49 immediate 65 trigger
destroy + er = destroyer tidy + er = tidier 34 surrounding 50 assume 66 professional
hurry + ed = hurried lazy + ly = lazily 35 darkness 51 cellar 67 villain
employ + ment = employment crazy + est = craziest 36 pebbles 52 offensive 68 necessary
mystery + ous = mysterious coy + ly = coyly 37 puddles 53 smell 69 attitude
happy + ness = happiness glory + ous = glorious 38 muddy 54 coffee 70 motto
39 eventually 55 puzzled 71 opportunity
More combinations: worrier, worried, destroying, 40 arrived 56 occupant 72 message
destroyed, hurrying, hurriedly, employer, employing, Doubling decisions
employed, mysteriously, happier, happiest, happily, tidily, dimly, showed, really, started, beginning, slowly,
tidying, tidiest, tidied, tidiness, slyness, slyest, crazier, hardly, failure/failing, crossed, grabbed, recording,
crazily, craziness, crazied, lazier, laziest, laziness, falling, looked, traveling, singing, hearing, cheering,
glorying, gloried, coyness opening, greatest, feeling, staying, flipping, sipping,
spotted, mobbed, quitting, older, stepping, letting,
Pages 22-23 getting, thinner, scrapped, jamming, deepest,
dropping, forgetting, remaining, bigger
/ and e quick quiz
1 thief 4 field 7 shield Problem patterns
2 eight 5 tie 8 soldier 1 deterred deterring deterrent
3 view 6 handkerchief 2 fittest fitting fitfully
3 opener opening openness
Missing p/eces 4 modeled modeling
1 neighbours 4 disobedient 7 unveiled 5 occasional occasionally
2 patience 5 pieces of eight 8 heir 6 hopped hopping
priest 6 sleigh, 7 commoner commonest commonness
3 Eiffel reindeer 8 batter batted batting
9 forgettable forgetting forgetful
Fierce Justice 10 committee committing commitment
1 brief 4 lenient 7 achievement 11 occurred occurring occurrence
2 feigned 5 society 12 crueller cruellest cruelly
3 reprieve 6 chief cruelty
13 stardom starred starring
Tips for Tops 14 commissioner commissioning
1 protein 4 decaffeinated 7 relieve, 15 deferred deferring deferment
2 weight 5 variety, nutrients anxiety deferrable
3 veins 6 leisure 8 hygiene 10 happening^ happened
Pages 26-27
Star Spot
1 receive 6 either 11 foreign Noun or \?erb?
7 ingredients 12 ancient 1 He had devised a cunning plan.
2 tied
8 deceive 13 niece 2 I advised her not to give up trying.
3 friends
3 Whoever devised the alarm clock was very clever. It
4 counterfeit 9 seize
5 scientific 10 experience is a useful device.
4 A clairvoyant prophesied my future, but I will be
surprised if her prophecy comes true.
“"rages
5 She took absolutely no notice of my excellent
Missing doubles 8 recommend 17 getting advice.
1 funny 9 luggage 18 irritable
10 horrible 19 depressed Sound-alike
2 beginning
20 suddenly weather, foul, meet, past, two, already, waved, saw.
3 missed 11 torrential
21 dazzling wait, missed, course, pouring, wandered, beach,
4 connection 12 collar
22 opposite grown, seen, compliment, dyeing, hair, told, whole,
5 small 13 collected
23 attempted stories, aloud, bored, know, lesson, alter, may be,
6 appearance 14 whipped
24 attract so, sure, led, ensure, write, stationery, piece
7 manner 15/16
accommodation 31
 a Answers/? a b c d ef %hi jk /
“Pages 26-27 continued - aaccent 3 Latin 2, 10, 14
adjective 18, 20
Can you do better?
SPORT Ike is skillful on the football
American English 3 n
noun 6, 18, 26, 27
apostrophe 6
field and in the swimming pool.
Australian English 3
MUSIC More self-3iscipline cm3 practice are
0
necessary, but Ike has a goo3 sense of rhythm.
DRAMA IKE ENJOYS BOTH
cc,hard 8, 18
o, words ending in 7
Old English 10, 12, 14
TRAGEDY AND COMEDY AND soft 16, 17, 18, 20 Old Norse 2
IS A TALENTED CHARACTER Celtic 2 opposites 15
ACTOR. combinations 12
MATH Ike has benefited from ch/tch 12, 13
attending extra classes. He has definitely ge/dge 12, 13 plural 6, 7
improved, but still makes faults through gh 12, 13 es 6
ie/ei 22, 23 ies 6
carelessness.
ph 26 oes 6
GEOGRAPHY Ike's project on equatorial rain
qu 12 ves 6
Jorests was very knowle3geable. prefixes 14, 15
consonants 3, 6, 12, 16, 20,
SCIENCE Ike is uninterested in science and loses 24, 25
concentration easily. He also displays a tendency to talk. rRenaissance
During practical work in the laboratory he meddles with the
equipment. His techniques are very disappointing.
d
dictionary, the first
3
10

HISTORY Ike has a thorough double letters 24, 25 s

silent letters 5, 10, 11, 12, 18, 20
un3erstan3ing of the Ancient Worl3, especially
of the lives of the Roman emperors. He has
ee,silent 5, 18, 20
sounds:
“air" 8, 22
enjoye3 learning about the go3s an3 go33esses
endings: "cul” 18, 19
of Greek mythology.
able 16, 18, 20 “er"/“uh" 8, 9
ENGLISH Although ike makes little “k” 8
adding onto
errors in his grammar, his creative ance/ant/ence/ent 18, 19 “ph" 26
writing is generally excellent. His “CL//” 18, 19 “sh "/“shun "/“zhun ” 8, 9
descriptions are perceptive and often ible 18, 19 stress 3, 8, 24
humorous. We have been grateful for his ise/ize 18 suffixes 20, 21, 24
assistance in the library this year. As ous 20 ful 21
usual, Ike is top of the class at spelling. soft c and g 16 ous 20
syllables 3, 12, 21, 24
Can you get there?
1 Look! There’s Michelle!
French 2, 12 t
there/there 's/their/theirs/they 're
2 Look at that, over there! Qr
26, 27
3 I know they’re going away today. g* hard 16, 18
4 Their house is huge. soft 16, 17, 18, 20 V
5 I want one just like theirs. Greek 10, 14 verbs 26, 27
6 There’s been a dreadful accident. vowels 3, 4, 5, 6, 16, 20, 21, 24
7 Drop it! It’s theirs. hhomophones 2, 26, 27
long 3, 4, 5, 12, 16, 22
short 3, 4, 5, 12, 24
8 There’s been a snowfall overnight.
« vowel sounds 3, 4, 5, 12
9 1 liked their friends.
10 Have some more. There’s l
plenty left.
11 I hate going there.
i, words ending in 4
y
y, as a vowel 3, 5
12 They’re always arguing. Johnson, Samuel 3 y, words ending in 4, 5, 6, 20, 21

Internet Links
Here are some Web sites you can look at if you webster.commnet.edu/hp/pages/darling/
want to practice your spelling. grammar/spel ling.htm
This site has a mine of information about
swum.com/online/english.html spelling. There are lots of spelling tests, and
You can test your spelling on this site. As you some even have sound clips, so you can hear
improve, you can try even more difficult tests. each word being spoken.

wordcentral.com m-w.com
Have a look at this colorful, animated site to If you are unsure how a word is spelled, you can
find out more about words and their meanings. look it up in the online dictionary on this site.

First published in the USA in 2000 by Usborne Publishing Ltd, Usborne House, 83-85 Saffron Hill, London, EC IN 8RT. Copyright © 2000, 1997, 1995, 1994. Usborne Publishing Ltd.
The name Usborne and the device ^ are Trade Marks of Usborne Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by^ny^means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Printed in Spain.
32
USBORNE BETTER ENGLISH

Improve Your

• with tests and exercises •

How good is your spelling? If you are never quite sure when / goes before e, or
a word ends in ance or ence, this is the book for you. Clear and simple
explanations unravel the rules and regulations of English spelling - as well as all
those frustrating exceptions - with special emphasis given to tricky words that
people often get wrong.

Entertaining puzzles and quizzes enable you to test yourself on what you have
learned, and to check your progress.

Also available in this series:

Improve Your Grammar
Improve Your Punctuation

i,| II Mfli Published in the USA by $6.95

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