Blakes Word Bank UPPER Primary Final

978 1 86509 773 2
Upper Primary
© Peter Clutterbuck and Blake Education 2000
Reprinted 2007
Blake’s Word Bank: Upper

ISBN-13: 978 1 86509 773 2
ISBN-10: 1 86509 773 X
Blake Education
Locked Bag 2022
Glebe NSW 2037
www.blake.com.au
Publisher: Sharon Dalgleish

Editors: Diana Grivas and Tricia Dearborn
Designed and illustrated by Jobi Murphy
Printed by Bekaam Printers
Reproduction and communication for educational purposes

The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or 10% of the
pages of this work, whichever is the greater, to be reproduced and/or communicated by any
educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution
(or the body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to Copyright Agency
Limited (CAL) under the Act.
For details of the CAL licence for educational institutions contact:

Copyright Agency Limited
Level 19, 157 Liverpool Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9394 7600
Facsimile: (02) 9394 7601
E-mail: info@copyright.com.au
Reproduction and communication for other purposes

Except as permitted under the Act (for example a fair dealing for the purposes of study,
research, criticism or review) no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written
permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.
Contents—An Overview
Detailed List of Contents 4

How to Use Blake’s Word Bank 8
Part One—Sounds 12
45 Sounds of the English Language 13
Vowel Sounds 15
Vowel Digraphs 24
Consonant Digraphs 37
Consonant Blends 45
Other Consonant Sounds 62
Some Other Important Sounds 67
Part Two—Spelling 72
The 200 Most Used Words 73
Homophones 77
Compound Words 78
Silent Letters 79
Words with Double Consonants 82
Contractions 88
Plurals 89
Spelling Rules 91
Frequently Misspelt Words 93
Graded Word Lists 94
Part Three—Grammar 100

Nouns 101
Pronouns 110
Prepositions 111
Verbs 112
Adjectives 118
Adverbs 122
Conjunctions 123
Part Four—Vocabulary 124

Synonyms 125
Antonyms 127
Prefixes 128
Suffixes 132
Homographs 136
Anagrams 137
Onomatopoeia 138
Palindromes 138
Portmanteau Words 139
Phobias 140
Eponyms 141
Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 3
© Blake Education 978 1 86509 773 2 Blake’s Word Bank - Upper Primary
Detailed List of Contents
Contents—An Overview 3
How to Use Blake’s Word Bank 8
The Symbols Used in This Book 8
Uses of the Word Bank 8
Some Fun Activities using Word Bank Lists 9
Part One—Sounds 12
45 Sounds of the English Language 13
Vowel Sounds 15
‘a’ = short /a/ sound 15
‘a’ = long /a/ sound 16
‘a’ = /ar/ sound 17
‘a’ = short /o/ sound 17
‘e’ = short /e/ sound 18
‘e’ = long /e/ sound 18
‘i’ = short /i/ sound 19
‘i’ = long /i/ sound 20
‘o’ = short /o/ sound 21
‘o’ = long /o/ sound 21
‘o’ = short /u/ sound 21
‘u’ = short /u/ sound 22
‘u’ = long /u/ sound 23
‘u’ = short /oo/ sound 23
Vowel Digraphs 24
‘ai’ = long /a/ sound 24
‘ay’ = long /a/ sound 24
‘ar ‘= /ar/ sound 25
‘au’ = /or/ sound 26
‘au’ = short /o/ sound 26
‘aw’ = /or/ sound 26
‘ea’ = long /e/ sound 27
‘ea’ = long /a/ sound 27
‘ea’ = short /e/ sound 28
‘ee’ = long /e/ sound 28
‘ei’ = long /e/ sound 29
‘ei’ = long /a/ sound 29
‘ey’ = long /e/ sound 29
‘ey’ = long /a/ sound 29
‘er’ = /er/ sound 30
‘ew’ = long /oo/ sound 30
‘ew’ = long /u/ sound 30
‘ie’ = long /e/ sound 31
‘ie’ = long /i/ sound 31
4 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary
‘ir’ = /er/ sound 31
‘oa’ = long /o/ sound 32
‘oi’ = /oi/ sound 32
‘oy’ = /oi/ sound 32
‘oo’ = long /oo/ sound 33
‘oo’ = short /oo/ sound 33
‘or’ = /or/ sound 34
‘ow’ = /ow/ sound 35
‘ow’ = long /o/ sound 35
‘ou’ = /ow/ sound 35
‘ou’ = long /oo/ sound 36
‘ou’ = short /u/ sound 36
‘ur’ = /er/ sound 36
Consonant Digraphs—Initial 37
‘ch’ = /ch/ sound 37
‘ch’ = /k/ sound 37
‘ch’ = /sh/ sound 37
‘ph’ = /f/ sound 38
‘qu’ = /qu/ sound 39
‘qu’ = /k/ sound 39
‘sh’ = /sh/ sound 39
‘th’ = unvoiced /th/ sound 40
‘th’ = voiced /th/ sound 40
‘wh’ = /w/ sound 41
‘wh’ = /h/ sound 41
Consonant Digraphs—Final and Medial 42

‘ch’ = /ch/ sound 42
‘ch’ = /k/ sound 42
‘ck’ = /k/ sound 42
‘gh’ = /f/ sound 43
silent /gh/ 43
‘sh’ = /sh/ sound 43
‘th’ = unvoiced /th/ sound 44
‘th’ = voiced /th/ sound 44
Consonant Blends—Initial 45
/bl/ blend 45
/br/ blend 45
/cl/ blend 46
/cr/ blend 46
/dr/ blend 47
/fl/ blend 47
/fr/ blend 48
/gl/ blend 48
/gr/ blend 49
/pl/ blend 49
/pr/ blend 50
‘sc’ = /sk/ blend 51
/scr/ blend 51
/sk/ blend 52
/sl/ blend 52
/sm/ blend 53
/sn/ blend 53
/sp/ blend 54
/spl/ blend 54
/spr/ blend 54
/st/ blend 55
/str/ blend 55
/sw/ blend 56
/tr/ blend 56
/tw/ blend 56
Consonant Blends—Final and Medial 57

/ct/ blend 57
/ft/ blend 58
/lt/ blend 58
/mp/ blend 59
/nd/ blend 59
/nt/ blend 60
/pt/ blend 60
/sk/ blend 61
/st/ blend 61
Other Consonant Sounds—Initial 62

‘sch’ = /sk/ blend 62
‘sch’ = /sh/ sound 62
‘shr’ 62
‘squ’ 62
Other Consonant Sounds—Final and Medial 63

‘dge’ 63
‘ght’ = /t/ sound 63
‘nce’ 64
‘nch’ 64
/ng/ sound 65
‘nge’ 65
/nk/ sound 66
‘tch’ = /ch/ sound 66
Some Other Important Sounds 67

‘c’ = /s/ sound (soft c) 67
‘c’ = /k/ sound (hard c) 67
‘g’ = /j/ sound (soft g) 68
‘g’ = /g/ sound (hard g) 68
‘y’ = long /e/ sound 69
‘y’ = long /i/ sound 69
‘ci’ = /sh/ sound 70
‘ce’ = /sh/ sound 70
‘si’ = /sh/ sound 70
‘ti’ = /sh/ sound 71
‘si’ = /zh/ sound 71
Part Two—Spelling 72
The 200 Most Used Words 73
The first 100 most used words 73
The next 100 most used words 73
Homophones 77
Compound Words 78
Silent Letters 79
b, c, g, h, k, l, n, p, s, t, w
Words with Double Consonants 82
bb, cc, dd, ff, gg, kk, ll, mm, nn, pp, rr, ss, tt, zz
Contractions 88
Plurals 89
Spelling Rules 91
Frequently Misspelt Words 93
Graded Word lists 94
Grade Five 94
Grade Six 97
Part Three—Grammar 100

Nouns 101
Common Nouns 101
Common nouns—animals 103
Proper Nouns 104
Countries 104
Cities 105
Languages 106
Celebrations 107
Terms of Address 107
Abstract Nouns 108
Collective Nouns 108
Collective nouns—groups of animals 109
Pronouns 110
Common Pronouns 110
Possessive pronouns 110
Prepositions 111
Verbs 112
Regular verbs 112
Irregular verbs 113
Action verbs 115
Saying verbs 115
Thinking and feeling verbs 115
To be 116
To have 117
Adjectives 118
Descriptive adjectives 118
Determiners 119
Number adjectives 120
Comparative adjectives 121
Adverbs 122
Conjunctions 123
Part Four—Vocabulary 124

Synonyms 125
Antonyms 127
Prefixes 128
Suffixes 132
Homographs 136
Anagrams 137
Onomatopoeia 138
Palindromes 138
Portmanteau Words 139
Phobias 140
Eponyms 141

How to Use Blake’s Word Bank
The Symbols Used in this Book Uses of the Word Bank

A straightforward system has been used Blake’s Word Bank has been structured to
throughout Blake’s Word Bank to distinguish maximise flexibility, allowing you to adapt and
clearly between letter patterns and the sounds utilise the material to successfully meet the needs
they make. of all students. For example, the lists of sounds in
Two oblique signs / / are used to indicate a the Sounds section can be used for both reading
sound. For example, the sound that ‘sh’ makes in and spelling activities, and the words in the
the word ‘shop’ is referred to as the /sh/ sound. Grammar section can also be used for vocabulary
The sound that ‘br’ makes in ‘bread’ is referred to building.
as the /br/ blend. Below are some suggested uses for Blake’s Word
Where a vowel can make two different sounds, Bank.
these are distinguished by calling them the long u Use word lists to increase students’ interest in
and the short vowel sound. For example, the ‘a’ in words and ideas, and to extend their
‘cat’ makes the short /a/ sound.The ‘a’ in ‘cape’ vocabulary and understanding of language
makes the long /a/ sound. concepts.
Pages 13-14 contain a summary of these sounds,
with examples. u Phonic groups and year level spelling lists can
be used for reinforcement, revision and
Letter patterns are referred to with quotation enrichment. For example, an individual senior
marks around them.
grade student experiencing difficulties in
The /sh/ sound can be made by various letter spelling may be best assisted by reinforcement
patterns including of phonic areas to strengthen his or her
u ‘sh’ as in shop spelling skills. Alternatively, a competent
u ‘ch’ as in chef
younger student may be directed to more
u ‘ti’ as in nation.
difficult lists for enrichment purposes.
The letter pattern ‘ea’ can make various sounds:
u long /e/ sound, as in peace u Both the Grammar and Vocabulary sections
u short /e/ sound, as in spread provide teachers with accessible examples of
u long /a/ sound, as in steak. parts of speech and specific word types.These
can be used for quick reference when a supply
of words is needed for individual or group
learning sessions, or to provide more examples
of a specific word type or part of speech
similar to the one already under discussion.

Some Fun Activities
using Word Bank Lists
Part 1 Sounds What Am I?

Using words from the lists in this book, give
Classifying students clues to a word which they must guess.
for example:
Write a number of words on the chalkboard, or
prepare a photocopied sheet, using lists from this I begin with a ‘qu’ sound. I am a place where
book. Have children classify the words into their stone is mined. I am a __________ . (quarry)
sound groups, for example:
Out of Place
short u sound long u sound On the chalkboard or a prepared sheet write
clutch amuse groups of words in which one word is the odd
one out. Have students determine which word
skunk music doesn’t belong, for example:
Paper Search refuse fortune slum secure
Choose a word from one of the lists, and write it ‘Slum’ is the odd word out because its ‘u’
on the chalkboard. Discuss the sound with the represents a short u sound, whereas in the other
student, for example: words the ‘u’ represents the long u sound.
loaves ‘oa’ in this word represents the long o Word Hunts
sound
Prepare lists on the chalkboard in which students
Have children search through newspapers, books, are given the initial sound and then must
etc to find and record words that contain the complete the word so it fits the clue.
same sound. (Dictionaries may be used.) For example:
Sorting dr_______ a fantastical fire-breathing creature
Using words from the lists in this book, prepare sp_______ a leafy vegetable
cards on which are written words containing
specific sound units. Have students sort the cards Remember!
into these units. Present a flash card to students with a word on it.
Have students write that word, then add three
Add Ons words that contain the same sound. For example:
Write words on the chalkboard leaving out
train strain chain vain
specific sound units, for example consonant
digraphs. (See lists in this book.) Challenge Adding
students to add the correct digraph, for example:
Write words on the board leaving out silent
(th ch) letters (use words from the lists in this book).
___ ermometer Have students add the missing silent letters.
For example:
iland (island)
thum (thumb)
thisle (thistle)

Part 2 Spelling Part 3 Grammar
Add the Doubles Alphabet Words
Write a number of words on the chalkboard Have students write the alphabet vertically on a
leaving a space where double letters should page. Challenge them to list a common noun
appear. Challenge students to add the correct beginning with each letter. For example:
double letters. a aluminium
(pp dd) (ss tt) b bruise
sa___le ma___ress c cardigan . . .
Compound Concentration Alternately, have students write an adjective for
Prepare a set of cards which, when placed each word, for example:
together, form compound words. (Use words a amicable
from the list in this book.) Place the cards face b boisterous
down and have students take turns to turn over
two. If the words together make a compound c courageous
word, the student keeps it as a pair. If not, the
cards are turned down again. Continue until no Match Ups
more compounds can be made. Provide students with lists of nouns and lists of
verbs or adjectives. Ask them to match the nouns
Combining Words with the verb or adjectives.
Have students think up their own two-word dogs bark (verb)
compounds and print them on flash cards. Have
them cut the flash cards into the two separate savage dogs (adjective)
words. In pairs, have students race to see which
pair can match the most cards in the shortest Sorting
time. Write a list of words on the chalkboard. Have
students sort them into their part of speech.
Jumbled Words
jump happily slowly lift cautious
Have students unjumble words which you have under monkeys sweet before rock
written on the chalkboard, selected from the
Graded Word Lists in this book. It may be useful Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs Preposition
and less confusing for some students to keep
sound units or chunks of words intact when you
Which is Better?
jumble them, for example ‘chenkit’ (for ‘kitchen’). Write sentences on the chalkboard. Have students
identify the best verb, that is, the most expressive.
(i) glejun (ii) chenkit
For example:
Proofing The rabbit (ran bolted) across the paddock.
Write a story on the board using list words from
this book. Have students identify the words you
Word Pyramids
have deliberately misspelt. For example: Have students choose a noun from the list of
common nouns, then build a pyramid of words
My unkle saw a volcanoe when he went to
associated with that noun, for example:
Amerrica.
horse
bridle saddle
gallop canter trot
grass chaff carrots clover

Part 4 Vocabulary Matching
Write a list of words on the chalkboard, and
Prefix (or suffix) race beside it write a list of jumbled synonyms (or
antonyms) for these words. Have students
Give a prefix (or suffix) from the list in this book
unjumble the words, then match each to its
to students, and ask them to list as many words as
partner. For example, using synonyms:
they can that contain that prefix (or suffix),
within a given time. adore lyear
Have them select a piece of text from a book alter orerr
they are reading and list all the words that contain premature olve
prefixes (or suffixes).
mistake chngea
Prefix Opposites
Anagram Cloze
Write words on the chalkboard. Have students
choose the correct prefix to make each word Using the lists in this book, write cloze sentences
mean its opposite. Have them write the full word. on the chalkboard. For example:
For example: This cup is quite _____________ (lance).
un anti in Challenge the students to rearrange the word in
___septic ___visible ___likely parentheses to make a word that fits in the space
(in this example, ‘clean’).
Portmanteau Words
Pairs
Discuss with students what is meant by a
portmanteau word. (A portmanteau word is a Write words on the chalkboard. Have students
word made by telescoping or blending two other write both a synonym and an antonym for that
words, for example, smog = smoke + fog.) Show word. For example:
students other examples from the list in this Synonym Antonym
book, then challenge them to make up their own
portmanteau words. big large small
loud noisy quiet
Where is it from?
Using the eponym lists in this book, write words
on the chalkboard. Have students, with the aid of
an atlas, locate on a map where the word came
from.
For example, chihuahua comes from Mexico.

Part One
Sounds

45 Sounds of the
English Language
Vowel Sounds
Sound Words
/a/ (short) cat, mat, apple
/e/ (short) peg, bed, head, said
/i/ (short) fig, women, build, busy, mystery
/o/ (short) dog, wash
/u/ (short) rub, come, young
/a/ (long) snake, train, stay
/e/ (long) eve, cheese, flea, she, lazy
/i/ (long) bind, pie, time, by, dye, buy, thigh
/o/ (long) go, toe, cone, coat, low, though, yeoman
/u/ (long) fuel, cue, cute, few, pneumonia
/air/ stair, care, where, wear, heir
/ar/ far, pass, palm
/er/ her, bird, fur, word, journey, heard
/oi/ boil, boy
/oo/ (long) boot, through, do, soup, blue, grew
/oo/ (short) look, put, woman, should
/or/ for, haul, raw, chalk, ball, board, door, pour,
bore, war, ought
/ow/ cow, loud, bough

Consonant Sounds
/b/ bind, cab, rubber
/d/ dome, add, stayed
/f/ fan, puff, photograph, laugh
/g/ got, egg, ghost
/h/ horse, hotel, hen, who
/j/ jug, ginger, gypsy, bridge
/k/ cut, kite, rock, queue
/l/ lot, ball, handle
/m/ mass, swimming, lamb
/n/ nice, funnel, knot, gnome, pneumatic
/p/ pan, happy
/r/ race, burr, wring, rhythm
/s/ sit, dress, since, city, psalm
/t/ tip, little, picked
/v/ van, skivvy, shelve
/w/ worse, win, wall, why
/y/ yellow
/x/ box, x-rays
/z/ zoo, buzz, as, xylophone
/ch/ chop, patch
/ng/ bring, song
/qu/ quote, choir
/sh/ ship, sugar, ancient, tension, dictation, ocean
/th/ (unvoiced) think, throw
/th/ (voiced) that, them, these
/zh/ treasure

Vowel Sounds
‘a’ = short /a/ sound
animal demand January

bandit dragon kidnap
bachelor drastic ladder
barrier elastic lamb
baton exact language
battery expand mechanic
bland family panic
brand fancy panther
camel fantasy radical
canal fashion rapid
canteen fraction raptor
canvas frantic salad
canyon glance sandal
capital gnat satin
caravan grant scamper
chance gravel tactful
clamp handle taxi
cramp handsome telegraph
dance hanging

Vowel Sounds
‘a’ = long /a/ sound
apricot disgrace radiator

apron engage radio
bacon escape range
basin evade related
bathe exhale safety
behave graceful sage
blame haste sake
brakes investigate scrape
capable lately stage
crane lazy stake
case maze strange
chase mistake tasty
daze parade wage
debate paste whale
decorate quake

Vowel Sounds
‘a’ = /ar/ sound
banana calves koala

blast fasten master
brass flask passed
broadcast halves pastime
telecast
‘a’ = short /o/ sound
quality squash watched

quantity swallow
quarrelled swamp
squadron wallet

Vowel Sounds
‘e’= short /e/ sound
cadet fetch scent

chest fleck select
clef flesh seven
cobweb fresh shred
dense helmet skeleton
dentist insect sledge
depend invent stress
develop ledge swept
dwell level velvet
electric never wedge
electron pebble wreck
element pledge wrench
eleven quench yelp
zest
‘e’ = long /e/ sound
compete discrete female

completely evening meander
convene extreme secrete
serene

Vowel Sounds
‘i’ = short /i/ sound
admit simmer
adrift sister
blitz skill
bridge strict
comic stitch
consist swift
district tickle
elastic twist
electric twitch
exist until
fantastic vision
hospital vivid
inhabit whim
insect whiskers
inspect wit
instant wrist
invent
invest
knit
limb
limit
liquid
nibble
picnic
prison
quill
signal

Vowel Sounds
‘i’ = long /i/ sound
advice describe rite

apologise entire science
bile fertile shire
brine fragile shrine
capsize grime silent
chime guide siren
chives hive spider
confide hostile spike
decide item spine
magnetise stride
mobile strife
organise swipe
polite thrive
projectile vampire
provide vice
require whine

Vowel Sounds
‘o’ = short /o/ sound
adopt constant monster

bottle contact product
broth content profit
closet continent shock
common dodge solid
complex forest tropical
compost forgot wombat
conduct lodge
consonant lollipop
‘o’ = long /o/ sound
chrome microscope telescope

cove prone throne
explode quote token
frozen scope yoke
hotel stroke zone
lonely telephone
‘o’ = short /u/ sound
among lovely wonderful

comfort sponge

Vowel Sounds
‘u’ = short /u/ sound
adult glut sprung

clutch grudge struck
conduct grumpy sunset
crumb humble swung
crunch hundred trunk
custom husband trust
drudge product umbrella
dumb ruffle unjust
fluster skunk until
fuzz slum upset

Vowel Sounds
‘u’ = long /u/ sound
accuse fumes produce

bugle future refuse
confuse introduce secure
costume manure useless
endure molecule volume
fortune perfume
‘u’ = short /oo/ sound
cushion shush sugar

Vowel Digraphs
Note: A digraph is a pair of letters
representing a single sound.
‘ai’ = long /a/ sound
acquaint faintly raising

aide faithful refrain
available frail remain
braise hailstorm saint
campaign maintain slain
claimed mermaid strait
complaint obtain taint
container praise vain
entertain proclaim waif
explain quail waist
failure quaint waive
fainted rainbow
‘ay’ = long /a/ sound
allay Friday prayed

array gangway subway
betray hooray yesterday
dismay payment wayward

Vowel Digraphs
‘ar’ = /ar/ sound
apartment carnival harvest

article charcoal marble
bargain cigar marvellous
barge depart particle
barter farther remarkable
cardigan garment separate
cargo guard snarl
starch

Vowel Digraphs—‘au’ Sounds
Note: ‘au’ can represent two sounds:
(i) /or/ sound as in saucer
(ii) short /o/ sound as in sausage.
‘au’ = /or/ sound
applause exhaust jaunt

audition flaunt launder
authentic fraud nausea
automatic fraught pauper
autumn gaudy saucer
daub gauze saunter
daunt haughty tarpaulin
taut
‘au’ = short /o/ sound
auction cauliflower laurel

sausage
‘aw’ = /or/ sound
awesome drawl pawn

awkward flaw scrawl
awning gnaw shawl
bawl mohawk sprawl
brawl outlaw strawberries
trawler

Vowel Digraphs—‘ea’ Sounds
Note: ‘ea’ can represent three sounds:
(i) long /e/ sound as in beat and meat
(ii) long /a/ sound as in break and steak
(iii) short /e/ sound as in head and bread.
‘ea’ = long /e/ sound
appeal freak reap

beak gleam reason
beast grease retreat
bleach heave seaside
bleak ideal season
breach increase squeak
breathe knead streak
cease least teachers
cheat leave teak
conceal measles treaty
crease peaceful tweak
decrease peal underneath
disease preach weave
eagle reached yeast
feast reading zeal
feature really
‘ea’ = long /a/ sound
steak

Vowel Digraphs
‘ea’ = short /e/ sound
breadth endeavour pleasant

breakfast heather sweat
deafness heavily thread
death jealous wealth
dread meadow weapon
dreamt measure
‘ee’ = long /e/ sound
breeze heed spree

canteen keel squeeze
cheerful leech steeple
committee preen succeed
corroboree proceed teem
creed referee teenager
deem screech toffee
degree screen tweet
exceed sleeping wheeze
guarantee sneeze

Vowel Digraphs
‘ei’ and ‘ey’ Sounds
Note: ‘ei’ and ‘ey’ represent two main sounds:
(i) long /e/ as in ceiling, monkey
(ii) long /a/ as in vein, they.
‘ei’ = long /e/ sound
ceiling deceive receipt

conceive either seize
conceit neither
‘ei’ = long /a/ sound
freight reign vein

neighbour sleigh weigh
weight
‘ey’ = long /e/ sound
alley kidney trolley

chimney storey turkey
journey Sydney valley
volley
‘ey’ = long /a/ sound
convey prey survey

whey

Vowel Digraphs
‘er’ = /er/ sound
alert mercury permanent

berth mermaid reverse
desert nervous sermon
deserve observer serpent
dessert prefer served
merchant perfect verse
‘ew’ Sounds
Note: ‘ew’ can represent two sounds:
(i) long /oo/ sound as in blew and flew
(ii) long /u/ sound as in new and few.
‘ew’ = long /oo/ sound
chewing jewellery shrew

curlew sewer strewn
yew
‘ew’ = long /u/ sound
askew hewn newt

curfew nephew renew
dewdrops newspaper skewer
steward

Vowel Digraphs—‘ie’ Sounds
Note: ‘ie’ can represent two main sounds:
(i) long /e/ sound as in niece
(ii) long /i/ sound as in pie.
‘ie’ = long /e/ sound
achievement frieze relieve

belief grieve reprieve
besiege handkerchief thieves
mantelpiece wield
‘ie’ = long /i/ sound
applied relied replied
‘ir’ = /er/ sound
affirm girt squirm

birch girth squirt
birthday infirm stirring
chirp irk thirst
circled mirth virgin
confirm quirk virtue
dirge shirk whirr
flirt smirk whirl

Vowel Digraphs
‘oa’ = long /o/ sound
approach cocoa oaf

bloat goad reproach
boastful hoax soaking
broach loathe stoat
cloak loaves toadstool
coax moat whoa
‘oi’ = /oi/ sound
anoint embroil poise

appointment joist poisonous
asteroid loiter quoit
disappoint moisture recoil
disjointed noisy rejoice
embroidery ointment turmoil
turquoise
‘oy’ = /oi/ sound
ahoy employer loyalty

annoying enjoyable oyster
deploy enjoyment ploy
destroy gargoyle royalty

Vowel Digraphs—‘oo’ Sounds
Note: ‘oo’ can represent two sounds:
(i) long /oo/ sound as in boot and pool
(ii) short /oo/ sound as in book and wood.
‘oo’ = long /oo/ sound
bamboo gloomy noose

booster groove oozing
cartoon hooligan roost
choosing igloo schooner
cockatoo lagoon stoop
croon kangaroo swoop
cuckoo loosening trooper
jackeroo moose wallaroo
whoop
‘oo’ = short /oo/ sound
booking crookedly looking

cooking goodness nook
hooded wooden

Vowel Digraphs
‘or’ = /or/ sound
absorb fortress ornament

accord gorge orphan
adorn gorgeous porpoise
assort hornet portion
border important restore
chord morsel scorch
distort orb scorn
dormitory orchard snorting
encore orchestra sword
enormous organ therefore
export organise torment
tornado

Vowel Digraphs—‘ow’ and ‘ou’ Sounds
Note: ‘ow’ represents two sounds:
(i) /ow/ sound as in how and cow
(ii) long /o/ sound as in tow and low.
‘ou’ can represent three main sounds:
(i) /ow/ sound as in cloud
(ii) long /oo/ sound as in group and soup
(iii) short /u/ sound as in touch and double.
‘ow’ = /ow/ sound
coward glower rowdy

drowsy jowls township
endow powder trowel
eyebrows renown vowel
‘ow’ = long /o/ sound
blown known sparrow

burrow meadow thrown
furrow rainbow willow
‘ou’ = /ow/ sound
astound flounder shroud

bough foundry thousand
compound hound trounce
denounce lounge trousers
devour mountain vouch
encounter profound without

Vowel Digraphs
‘ou’ = long /oo/ sound
group troupe youth

soup you
‘ou = short /u/ sound
country double touch

courage nourish trouble
cousin southern young
‘ur’ = /er/ sound
absurd hamburger surgery

burden murder surly
burly murmur survey
churn purchase turf
cur pursue turkey
curd spur turnip
curse spurn unfurl
furnish suburb urgent
furniture sunburn urn
gurgle surgeon

Consonant Digraphs—Initial
‘ch’
Note: ‘ch’ can represent three sounds:
(i) /ch/ sound as in chop and chin
(ii) /k/ sound as in chemist and chaos
(iii) /sh/ sound as in chef and champagne.
‘ch’ = /ch/ sound
chafe chariot chimney

challenge charity chimpanzee
chamber cheque chink
champion chilblain chisel
chapel children chives
charcoal chime chocolate
churn
‘ch’ = /k/ sound
chaos chasm cholera

character chemist chrome
charisma chlorine chronic
‘ch’ = /sh/ sound
champagne charade chassis

charlatan chivalry

‘ph’ = /f/ sound
pharmacy philistine photocopy

phantom philosophy photograph
pharaoh phobia phrase
pharmacy phoenix physical
pheasant phonetic physician
phenomenon phonics physics
phial phoney physiotherapy
Philippines phosphate physique

‘qu’ Sounds
Note: ‘qu’ represents two sounds:
(i) /qu/ sound as in quack
(ii) /k/ sound as in quiche and quay.
‘qu’ = /qu/ sound
quadrangle quarantine quince

quadrant quark quintet
quadrilateral quartet quip
quagmire quartz quirk
quaff quaver quiver
qualify queasy quota
quantity questionnaire quotation
quantum quibble quotient
‘qu’ = /k/ sound
quay queue quiche
‘sh’ = /sh/ sound
shale sheer shriek

shallot shire shrewd
shambles shield shrine
shamrock shoal shrivel
shanty shortage shudder
sheen shred shuffle

‘th’ Sounds
Note: ‘th’ can represent two sounds:
(i) unvoiced /th/ sound as in thin, think
(ii) voiced /th/ sound as in that.
‘th’ = unvoiced /th/ sound
thatch threshold thrive

thaw thimble throb
theatre thorough throng
theme thrash throttle
theology thread throughout
thermometer threaten thud
thermos thrifty thump
therapy thriller
‘th’ = voiced /th/ sound
therefore thence

‘wh’ Sounds
Note: ‘wh’ can represent two sounds:
(i) /w/ sound as in when and why
(ii) /h/ sound as in who.
‘wh’ = /w/ sound
whack whirlpool whisker

wharf whimper whisky
whatever whimsical whisper
wheatgerm whine whistle
wheelbarrow whinny whiting
wheeze whippet whittle
whenever whirr whoop
whopper
‘wh’ = /h/ sound
wholesale whom

Consonant Digraphs
—Final and Medial
‘ch’ = /ch/ sound
achieve broach orchard

attach brooch preach
beseech coach screech
birch detach
‘ch’ = /k/ sound
orchestra scheme
‘ck’ = /k/ sound
beckon knocked slack

buckle locker socket
bullock locket stocking
chuckle paddock tackle
cockatoo peacock thickness
cricket picket ticket
freckle pickle trickle
hammock pocket whack
hockey rockery wicked
jacket rocket wicket
wreckage

Consonant Digraphs
—Final and Medial
‘gh’ Sounds
Note: ‘gh’ at the end of a word represents
either an /f/ sound or is silent.
‘gh’ = /f/ sound
cough laugh rough

enough laughter tough
trough
silent ‘gh’
although high sleigh

borough neigh thigh
bough plough thorough
dough sigh though
through
‘sh’ = /sh/ sound
afresh demolish languish

abolish distinguish lavish
accomplish English marsh
ambush enmesh mushroom
astonish embellish perish
bishop establish polish
brash extinguish Swedish
Cornish furnish vanish

Consonant Digraphs
—Final and Medial
‘th’ Sounds
Note: ‘th’ can represent two sounds:
(i) unvoiced /th/ sound as in bath
(ii) voiced /th/ sound as in smooth.
‘th’ = unvoiced /th/ sound
aftermath filth nothing

athletic girth oath
authorise growth Perth
beneath heath sheath
birth length sloth
breadth marathon thrash
death mathematics walkathon
faithful method within
mirth wrath
‘th’ = voiced /th/ sound
although farther leather

bathe feather soothe
breathe gathered together
whether

Consonant Blends—Initial
/bl/ blend
bladder bleak blizzard

blanch bleary bloat
bland blemish blockade
blank blender blossom
blatant blight blotch
blazer blindfold blouse
bleach bliss blubber
blitz blunder
/br/ blend
bracelet breadth broadcast

bracket breathe broccoli
braise bridle bronze
bramble brigade brooch
brash brilliant brood
brawn brine browse
brazen Brisbane bruise
Brazil brittle brunt
broach brutal

/cl/ blend
clam cleft clinic

clarify clench cloak
clarinet clergy cloister
classical clerk clone
classify client closet
clause climate clover
clef climax cluster
climbed clutch
/cr/ blend
crackle creature criticism

crag creed crochet
cramp creepy crockery
crank cremate crony
cranny crescent crook
crass crevice croon
crater crime croquet
cravat criminal cruise
crave crimson crucial
crayon cringe crusade
crease cripple crutch
create critic crux
crystal

/dr/ blend
dragged dreadful dromedary

dragon dreamt drool
dramatic dreary drone
drastic dredge dropper
drawers dregs drought
drawl drivel drowsy
dray drizzle drudge
druid
/fl/ blend
flabbergasted flannel florist

flabby flaunt flotilla
flail flax flounce
flair flay flounder
flagon fledgling flourish
flagrant flexible fluctuate
flamingo flimsy fluent
flammable flinch fluorescent
flank flippant fluoride
florid flux

/fr/ blend
fraction fraud frigate

fracture fraught frightened
fragile frazzle frigid
fragment freight fritter
fragrant frenzy frivolous
France frequency frizzle
frantic friar frolic
fraternal friction frugal
frustrate
/gl/ blend
glacier glib glossary

gladiator glimpse glucose
glamour glisten glut
glean glorious glutton

/gr/ blend
gracious gravity gross

gradually greasy grotesque
graduate Greece grouch
grammar grievance grove
granite grieve grovel
grapple grimace grudge
grateful grime gruelling
gratify groceries gruesome
gratitude groggy gruff
gravel grope grumble
/pl/ blend
placard platoon pledge

placid platter plentiful
plague platypus pliable
plaintiff plausible pliers
plait playful plight
plaque plead plough
plateau pleasant plumage
platform pleasure plummet
platinum pleat plunder

/pr/ blend
practical preserve professors

practice president profile
prairie prestige progress
prance preview prohibit
precaution primitive promote
precinct principal prompt
precious prior prone
precipice prism prong
precise privilege pronounce
predict probably propeller
preface probe property
prejudice proceed prophet
premier procession propose
premises produce protractor
preparation product proverb
presence professional provisions
prudent

‘sc’ = /sk/ blend
scaffold scanty Scotland

scald scapegoat scoundrel
scallop scarlet scourer
scalpel scathing scuba-diving
scamper scavenger sculptor
scandal sceptical scuffle
scanner scope scuttle
scorpion scurvy
/scr/ blend
scrabble scrawl scripture

scraggly scrawny scroll
scramble screech scrounge
scraper screwdriver scruff
scrapped scribe scruple
scrimp scrutiny

/sk/ blend
skateboard skiff skulk

skein skilful skull
skeleton skillet skunk
skirmish skyscraper
/sl/ blend
slain sleigh sloth

slake slept slouch
slander sleuth slovenly
slang slight sludge
slat slippery sluice
slaughter slither slump
slavery sliver slung
sleazy slob slunk
sleek slobber slur
sleet slogan slush
sloop sly

/sm/ blend
smelt smitten smother

smirk smock smoulder
smite smooch smudge
smuggle
/sn/ blend
snag snicker snooker

snapper snide snoop
snare sniffle snorkel
snarl snigger snout
snazzy snipe snub
sneer snippet snuffle
snivel snuggle

/sp/ blend
spacious spawn spinach

spaghetti species spindle
Spain specific spirit
spangle specimen sponsor
spaniel speckle spontaneous
sparse spectator spool
spasm spectacle spoor
spatter spectrum spouse
spurt
/spl/ blend
spleen splendour splotch

splendid splinter splurge
splutter
/spr/ blend
spree sprinter spruce

sprig sprite spruik
sprightly sprocket sprung
sprinkle sprout spry

/st/ blend
stadium statistics stifle

stagnant statue stirrup
staid status stomach
stalagmite staunch stout
stallion stave stimulate
stamina stealthy storey
stampede steed stubble
standard steeple stubborn
startled stenographer storage
stash sterile studio
stationary stethoscope stupendous
stationery stint sturdy
/str/ blend
straddle strenuous strobe

strafe stress stroke
straggle stretcher stroll
strait strew strove
strand stride structure
strangle strife strudel
strategy stringent struggle
stratosphere stringy strum
strive strut

/sw/ blend
swab swarthy swindle

swaddle swashbuckler swivel
swagger swelter swoon
/tr/ blend
tract transparent tripod

traction trapeze trite
tradition traverse triumph
tragedy trawl trombone
tragic treacherous troop
trailer treacle trophy
trait treason tropical
traitor tremendous trough
tranquil tremor trowel
transform tribute truant
transistor trifle truce
transmit trigonometry trudge
/tw/ blend
twang twiddle twinge

tweak twig twinkle
tweed twilight twirl
tweezers twine twist
twitch

Consonant Blends
—Final and Medial
/ct/ blend
abduct contract evict

abstract contradict extract
addict deduct genuflect
affect defect hectic
afflict defunct inflict
architect depict instruct
artefact derelict intact
aspect detract intellect
bisect dialect intersect
cataract distract interval
character effect neglect
compact elect obstruct
conflict electric retrospect
construct enact subtract
suspect

Consonant Blends
—Final and Medial
/ft/ blend
adrift chairlift hovercraft

aft cleft shoplift
aircraft daft snowdrift
bereft deft tuft
forklift waft
/lt/ blend
asphalt inbuilt shelter

assault insult somersault
basalt pelt stilted
consult quilt thunderbolt
default moult vault
revolt welt

Consonant Blends
—Final and Medial
/mp/ blend
amp pamper scrimp

blimp pomp shrimp
chump primp skimpy
cramp ramp slump
crimp revamp sump
frump romp swamp
hemp rump tamper
hump sample tramp
imp scamp trump
/nd/ blend
abound contend ground

almond correspond hind
amend demand island
attend descend mound
beyond diamond pound
bland errand refund
bound extend remind
brand fend rotund
command frond strand
commend fund trend
compound gland withstand
comprehend grind wound

Consonant Blends
—Final and Medial
/nt/ blend
absent flint quaint

anoint fount rant
appoint glint resent
chant grant saint
dint indent shunt
dismount intent slant
event jaunt splint
extent lint sprint
faint mount squint
flaunt punt taunt
vent
/pt/ blend
abrupt conscript intercept

accept contempt interrupt
adapt corrupt manuscript
adept crypt opt
adopt disrupt postscript
apt Egypt pre-empt
bankrupt excerpt rapt
concept exempt windswept
inept wrapt

Consonant Blends
—Final and Medial
/sk/ blend
asterisk casket obelisk

basket damask whisker
whisky
/st/ blend
abreast chemist lest

accost cyst priest
adjust disgust quest
amongst festival roast
analyst gist scientist
August grist tryst
ballast heist vast
blest jest vest
boast journalist wrest
zest

Other Consonant Sounds—Initial
‘sch’ Sounds
Note: ‘sch’ can represent two sounds:
(i) /sk/ blend as in school
(ii) /sh/ sound as in schnitzel.
‘sch’ = /sk/ blend
scheme schism school

schizophrenia scholar schoolroom
scholarship schooner
‘sch’ = /sh/ sound
schedule schnitzel
‘shr’
shrapnel shriek shroud

shrew shrift shrubbery
shrewd shrivel shrunken
‘squ’
squab squalor squeamish

squadron squander squeegee
squalid squatter squire
squall squaw squirm
squeaky squirrel

Other Consonant Sounds
—Final and Medial
‘dge’
abridge dredge partridge

badger drudge pledge
begrudge fidget porridge
budge fledge sledge
cadge footbridge sludge
cartridge knowledge smudge
dislodge gadget stodge
midget trudge
‘ght’ = /t/ sound
bight draught knight

blight drought midnight
brought fought moonlight
caught fraught sought
copyright freight thought
delight highlight twilight
distraught insight wrought

—Final and Medial
‘nce’
absence convince obedience

abundance defence offence
advance enhance presence
ambulance entrance pronounce
appliance essence province
arrogance evidence reference
assistance experience residence
audience difference romance
balance finance sentence
coincidence influence sequence
commence instance silence
conference intelligence stance
confidence lance substance
consequence licence tolerance
convenience nuisance violence
‘nch’
blanch entrench retrench

cinch French scrunch
clench haunch stench
clinch lynch trench
drench paunch wrench
quench winch

—Final and Medial
/ng/ sound
anything length singer

billabong ling something
dugong nothing sprang
during pang strength
furlong prolong tongue
headstrong prong wrung
sarong zing
‘nge’
avenge grunge scrounge

challenge impinge singe
dangerous infringe Stonehenge
derange lozenge strangest
dungeon plunge syringe
exchange ranger tinge
expunge revenge twinge
grange scavenge whinge

—Final and Medial
/nk/ sound
ankle frank shrink

blanket hank skink
brink junket skunk
chink kink slunk
chunk mink spank
crinkle prank sprinkle
debunk rank stunk
flank rink swank
flunk shank twinkle
shrank wrinkle
‘tch’ = /ch/ sound
bewitch hitch scotch

blotch hopscotch snatch
britches ketch snitch
butterscotch kitchen splotch
clutch notch stretch
crotch ratchet swatch
crutch retch switch
dispatch satchel thatch
glitch scratch twitch
wretch

Some Other Important Sounds
‘c’ Sounds
Note: ‘c’ represents two main sounds:
(i) /s/ sound (soft c) when followed by e, i or y, as in cell
(ii) /k/ sound (hard c) when followed by a, o or u, as in cat.
‘c’ = /s/ sound
cedar citizen medicine

celery cyclone palace
central cylinder receipt
ceremony deceive rhinoceros
certain disgrace surface
cigarette except trace
cinnamon justice twice
civilisation instance voice
‘c’ = /k/ sound
cable carnival company

calculate carol compass
calendar catalogue concern
canary caution conflict
cancel coach contain
canoe cobweb control
canteen cocoa correct
canyon collect cottage
capital colony country
capsule column court
capture comment culture
carbon common custom

‘g’ Sounds
Note: ‘g’ represents two main sounds:
(i) /j/ sound (soft g) when followed by e, i or y,
as in cage and giant
(ii) /g/ sound (hard g) when followed by a, o, u,
or another consonant, as in game, grand.
‘g’ = /j/ sound
arrange generous lounge

average genuine oblige
engine geography plunge
enrage geometry revenge
general gesture sponge
generation gigantic suggest
gymnasium tragic
‘g’ = /g/ sound
gadget garlic guarantee

galaxy garment guard
gallant gasoline guest
gallery goggles guide
gallon gossip guilt
gallop government guitar
gamble groan gutter

‘y’ Sounds
Note: ‘y’ can represent two main sounds:
(i) long /e/ sound as in city
(ii) long /i/ sound as in fly.
‘y’ = long /e/ sound
canary fury memory

country glory mystery
county grocery naughty
drowsy hungry nursery
factory ivory surgery
fancy liberty zany
‘y’ = long /i/ sound
apply mystify rectify

defy pacify specify
deny purify testify
magnify qualify wry

/sh/ Sounds
Note: A number of different letter
patterns make a /sh/ sound:
(i) ‘ci’ or ‘ce’ as in ancient and ocean.
(ii) ‘si’ as in tension
(iii) ‘ti’ as in patient and action.
‘ci’ = /sh/ sound
ancient financial social

artificial gracious spacious
beneficial magician special
conscious musician sufficient
crucial official superficial
deficient officious suspicious
delicious physician tenacious
electrician precious vicious
facial proficient vivacious
ferocious racial
‘ce’ = /sh/ sound
cetacean crustacean ocean
‘si’= /sh/ sound
admission dimension omission

compassion extension passion
comprehension mission permission
concession obsession tension

‘ti’ = /sh/
action fraction patient

addition impartial population
ambition impatient position
ambitious infectious potential
attention influential pretentious
cautious initial repetitious
circumstantial inspection residential
collection invention sensation
confidential invitation sequential
destination lotion situation
direction martial spatial
education mention station
essential multiplication substantial
expedition nutritious superstitious
fictitious ostentatious torrential
‘si’ = /zh/ sound
allusion division persuasion

collision erosion seclusion
conclusion explosion television
conversion invasion version
decision occasion vision

Part Two
Spelling

The 200 Most Used Words
First 100 Most Used Words
The following twelve words make up on average one
quarter of all reading and writing:
a in that
and is the
he it to
I of was
The following 20 words together with the twelve

words in the list above make up, on average, one third
of all reading and writing:
all had said

are have so
as him they
at his we
be not with
but on you
for one

First 100 Most Used Words
The following 68 words together with the 32 above
are the 100 most used words and make up one half of
all reading and writing:
about into right

an just see
back like she
been little some
before look their
big made them
by make then
call more there
came me this
can much two
come must up
could my want
did no well
do new went
down now were
first off what
from old when
get only where
go or which
has other who
her our will
here out your
if over

The Next 100 Most Used Words
after black find

again blue five
always boy fly
am bring found
animal cool four
another day gave
any dog girl
ask don’t give
asleep eat going
away every good
bad far got
because fast green
best father hand
bird fell have

The Next 100 Most Used Words (continued)
head open take

help own tell
home play than
house put these
how ran thing
jump read think
keep red three
know room time
last round too
left run tree
let sat under
live saw us
long say very
man school walk
many should white
may sing why
men sit wish
mother soon work
once step would
year

Homophones
Note: Homophones are words that
sound the same but have different
spellings and different meanings.
aisle isle I’ll minor miner

air heir moose mousse
birth berth more moor maw
border boarder morning mourning
bore boar muscle mussel
born borne navel naval
bridle bridal night knight
bury berry patients patience
caught court pedal peddle
cereal serial presents presence
council counsel principle principal
due dew profit prophet
formally formerly root route
freeze frieze sight site cite
gamble gambol stationary stationery
great grate stork stalk
hanger hangar taught taut
him hymn threw through
holy wholly time thyme
key quay vain vein vane
idle idol wave waive
lane lain whale wail
lesson lessen whose who’s
mare mayor weather whether wether
metal mettle

Compound Words
Note: Compound words are two or
more words joined together to make
one new word.
What you join Compound word

noun + noun rainbow, hailstorm
adjective + noun blackbird, barefoot

noun + adjective footloose, headstrong
preposition + noun outboard, inside
verb + noun spoilsport, cutthroat
verb + adverb farewell, walkover
coastline handcuff seahorse

commonplace handkerchief sheepskin
countryside hayfever shipwreck
courtyard headlight sideboard
downstairs heartbreak signwriter
downstream horseback skateboard
downtown horseshoe suitcase
driftwood houseboat sunglasses
dragnet lookout toothache
earthquake pineapple tombstone
elsewhere pipeline widespread
hamburger roadworks

Silent Letters
silent ‘b’
aplomb doorjamb subtle

catacomb doubtful succumb
debtor plumber thumbtack
womb
silent ‘c’
ascend scenic scientific

crescent scent scimitar
scene sceptre scintillating
scenery science scissors
scythe
silent ‘g’
align gnarled gnome

assign gnash gnu
campaign gnat malign
feign gnaw reign
foreign gnocchi sovereign

Silent Letters
silent ‘h’
dinghy rhinoceros rhythm

honour rhubarb
silent ‘k’
knack knelt knockabout

knapsack knickers knockout
knave knick-knack knoll
knead knight knotted
knell knitting knowledge
knives knuckle
silent ‘l’
balm qualm
silent ‘n’
autumn condemn hymn

column damn solemn

Silent Letters
silent ‘p’
pneumatic psalm psychedelic

pneumonia pseudonym psychology
silent ‘s’
aisle debris island

isle
silent ‘t’
depot moisten trestle

glisten rapport wrestle
gristle thistle
silent ‘w’
wrack wreath wring

wracked wreckage wrinkle
wraith wrecked writ
wrangle wrench writhe
wrapped wrest written
wrath wrestle wrought
wreak wretch wrung
wry

Words with Double Consonants
‘bb’
abbreviate lobby snobby

ebbed mobbed squabble
gibberish nabbed stubborn
grubby rabbi throbbed
hobble rabble wobble
hubbub scabbard
‘cc’
accelerate accurate occupied

accent accuse occupy
accept broccoli occur
access buccaneer occurred
accessory cappuccino raccoon
accident desiccated soccer
accommodate hiccough succeed
accordion mecca success
account moccasin successful
accountant occasion succumb
tobacco

‘dd’
bedridden eddy toddler

bidder shoddy trodden
Buddha shudder twiddle
cheddar straddle waddle
‘ff’
affair gruff saffron

afford jiffy bag scaffold
buffalo muffled scruffy
caffeine office sheriff
daffodil officer shuffle
dandruff official suffer
duffle coat puffin sufficient
efficient ruffian suffocate
graffiti ruffle truffle
waffle

‘gg’
aggravate groggy snuggle

aggressive haggard squiggle
chugged hogged stagger
exaggerate scraggly struggle
flogged sluggish suggestion
gaggle snigger toboggan
toggle
‘kk’
trekked yakka yakking

trekking yakked
‘ll’
actually downfall intelligent

allergy excellent jewellery
alligator finally swollen
allocate gallop travelling
ballot gazelle umbrella
collapse gorilla usually
collection illegal willow
collide illusion windmill

‘mm’
accommodate hammock rummy

comma immaculate shimmer
comment immature simmer
commerce immediate stammer
commit immigrate summarise
committee immoral summit
dilemma immune summon
gimmick mammoth symmetry
‘nn’
annexe cannibal mayonnaise

anniversary cinnamon millennium
announce connotation pennant
antenna innocent personnel
bannister innovate sonnet
beginning mannequin whinny
‘pp’
appeal approach kidnapped

appear dapple ripple
appendix disappear sapphire
applause disappoint snippet
application equipped supplement
appointment grapple supply
apprentice hippopotamus support

‘rr’
arrange horrible porridge

arrogant hurricane squirrel
barricade irregular stirrup
barrister irrigate surrender
carriage irritate terror
correspond larrikin terrible
corridor marriage terrific
corroboree marrow territory
corrupt narrative warrant
currency occurred warrior
‘ss’
access glossary passenger

ambassador goddess possess
assembly hairdresser process
assignment harass professor
bliss harness reassure
business hessian scissors
carcass hostess session
caress impress successful
classical issue tactless
confess massage tenderness
delicatessen message tissue
discuss messenger vessel
essential mission waitress
express necessary witness

‘tt’
abattoir forgotten petticoat

admitted gazette quitter
attempt getting regatta
attention ghetto serviette
attic handwritten settlement
attitude lattice silhouette
attract lottery spaghetti
cigarette matter wattle
confetti mutton whittle
cottage nitty-gritty witty
ditto palette
‘zz’
bedazzle frazzled mozzarella

blizzard gizzards pizazz
buzzard jacuzzi quizzed
embezzle mezzanine

Contractions
Contractions are formed when one or more letters are
omitted from a word or phrase and replaced with an
apostrophe. The following are examples of common
contractions.
Word or Contraction Word or Contraction

phrase phrase
I am I’m I have I’ve

you are you’re you have you’ve
she is, he is she’s, he’s she has, he has she’s, he’s
we are we’re we have we’ve
they are they’re they have they’ve
it is it’s I had I’d
here is here’s you had you’d
that is that’s she had, he had she’d, he’d
who is who’s we had we’d
is not isn’t they had they’d
are not aren’t I will I’ll
was not wasn’t you will you’ll
cannot can’t she will, he will she’ll, he’ll
could not couldn’t we will we’ll
do not don’t they will they’ll
does not doesn’t I would I’d
did not didn’t you would you’d
has not hasn’t she had, he had she’d, he’d
had not hadn’t we had we’d
will not won’t they had they’d
would not wouldn’t

Plurals
Note: Plural simply means more than one.
(a) Most nouns form their plurals by simply adding s, for example:
castle fi castles window fi windows
(b) Nouns that end in ch, sh, s, z or x add es to form their plurals,
for example:
catch fi catches bus fi buses buzz fi buzzes

wish fi wishes dress fi dresses fox fi foxes
(c) For nouns that end in a y before which there is a vowel we

simply add s to make the plural, for example boy fi boys.
However, is there is a consonant before the y, change the y to i
and add es, for example:
lady fi ladies pony fi ponies story fi stories
(d) Some nouns that end in f or fe simply add s to form their

plurals, for example:
chief fi chiefs gulf fi gulfs giraffe fi giraffes
Some, however, change the f (or fe) to ves, for example:
leaf fi leaves knife fi knives calf fi calves

loaf fi loaves thief fi thieves wolf fi wolves
Some plurals are sometimes spelt ves or sometimes with simply an s.
hoof fi hoofs or hooves wharf fi wharfs or wharves

Plurals
(e) Most nouns ending in o add es to make their plurals. (This is
often true of larger or foreign words.) Some examples are:
echo fi echoes mango fi mangoes

hero fi heroes volcano fi volcanoes
But a few simply add s, for example:
banjo fi banjos piano fi pianos

kangaroo fi kangaroos radio fi radios
photo fi photos solo fi solos
(f) A few nouns have only one word to indicate both singular and
plural, for example:
cod salmon sheep

deer series species
(g) A few nouns have no singular form at all, for example:
jeans scissors spectacles

pants shears tongs
pliers shorts trousers
(h) Some nouns make their plural by changing their letter

structure, for example:
brother fi brethren goose fi geese mouse fi mice

child fi children louse fi lice tooth fi teeth
foot fi feet man fi men woman fi women

Spelling Rules
(a) Use i before e except after c when the sound is ee.
i before e
mischief, handkerchief, niece
except after c when the sound is ee
conceit, receipt, receive
(An exception to this rule is ‘weird’.)
When the sound is ay the words are usually spelled ‘ei’,

for example reign.
(b) When a single syllable word has a single vowel and

ends in a single consonant, double the consonant when
adding a suffix that begins with a vowel or with y.
hop fi hopping fi hopped bag fi baggy
But if the suffix itself begins with a consonant, this rule

does not apply, for example:
wonder + ful = wonderful glad + ly = gladly
(See also rule (f).)
(c) When a word has more than one syllable and the accent
falls in the last syllable, double the first consonant when
adding a suffix, for example:
refer + ing = referring
(d) A final y preceded by a consonant becomes i when a suffix

is added, except in the case of the suffix ing, for example:
bury fi buried lovely fi lovelier
carry fi carried but carry + ing = carrying.

Spelling Rules
(e) For words that end in a silent e following a consonant,
the e is usually retained when we add a suffix that begins
with a consonant, for example:
care + ful = careful bare + ness = bareness
But if the suffix begins with a vowel we drop the final e, for
example:
hope + ing = hoping sense + ible = sensible
There are exceptions to the rule, some for obvious reasons,

for example:
singe fi singeing (otherwise it would be ‘singing’)
dye fi dyeing (otherwise it would be ‘dying’).
(f) If a word ends in two consonants and we wish to add a

suffix such as ed or ing, no letters are doubled, for
example:
mend fi mended post fi posting
(g) When a compound word is formed by adding a prefix or

suffix ending in ll only one l is kept, for example:
joy + full = joyful all + most = almost
Remember only one word in the English language ends in

full and that is the word full itself!
Note, however, still + ness fi stillness, and full + ness fi
fullness.

Frequently Misspelt Words
accommodation escape since
ache especially something
address exhibit sometimes
admittance favourite sure
aeroplane February surprise
afford film swimming
anchor government symptom
aquarium guarantee terrible
athletics guard though
attached hurt thought
awful interest through
beautiful jewellery traveller
beginning judge trouble
believe ladies truly
burglar library Tuesday
buried lightning useful
business minute using
carriage necessary usually
climbed occasion weather
committee probably Wednesday
cupboard propeller welcome
diary receipt whether
different safety whole
disappear scissors women
disappoint separate woollen

Graded Word Lists
Grade 5
again carry early

allowed catch earth
alone chair easy
always cheese elephant
around coast evening
asked could express
crown
because fairy
before didn’t felt
beginning died few
behind dinner find
believe dream finish
birthday drink first
blood dry full
bottle
brush getting
bucket glove
build goes
buy grandfather
grandmother

Graded Word Lists
Grade 5 (continued)
hair lamb off

hear large once
here learn opened
hollow leave other
hour little outside
ice-cream many pair

inside match paper
invite mean past
iron message pencil
island middle people
mixed person
jelly moment pocket
judge money police
jumped motor pulled
jungle music
just
narrow
kitchen nearly
knee niece
knew noise
knife north
knot number
nurse

Graded Word Lists
Grade 5 (continued)
quarter taken warm

queen talk weak
quick thirsty went
quiet though were
quite through when
where
rabbit ugly would
reach uncle writing
ready under wrote
right until
rode used year
yelled
said valley yellow
shall vase young
should visit your
skin voice
some volcano
sound
speed
sugar

Graded Word Lists
Grade 6
ache careful enemy

address centre enjoyed
against certain enough
all right climate escape
aloud climbed except
already clothes
another coarse failed
awful collect February
coming flood
babies corner forest
bandage correct forty
beautiful couple frightened
because cousin
between cupboard garage
blossom ghost
bottom daughter giant
bought dear grey
brakes delighted guess
brought different
burnt direction
discovered

Graded Word Lists
Grade 6 (continued)
happened kettle naughty

harvest kidney necessary
heaven kilometre needle
heavy kindergarten neighbour
hoping knowledge newspaper
hospital
hotel ladies o’clock
laughed obeyed
idea lean ocean
important leather often
including listened orchestra
insects lonely oxygen
instead lying
invent palm
million peace
jacket minute picnic
January mistake picture
joined model plenty
journey modern present
judge month prison
juice problem
junior product
promise
pupil
purple

Graded Word Lists
Grade 6 (continued)
quarrel they’re wanted

quarter those while
queer tomorrow whistle
question touch wonderful
quiz towards worry
travelled worst
radio trouble written
reason truth
replied tunnel yacht
reptile turned yawn
rough yeast
umbrella yield
safety union young
scared universe
secret unusual zebra
shadow urgent zero
shoulder useful zigzag
since zinc
single valuable zone
soup vanish
spoilt vehicle
surface vitamin
surround vowel

Part Three
Grammar

Nouns
Common Nouns
Note: A common noun is the name of
any ordinary thing you can see and
touch.
aeroplane closet greenhouse

airport continent hallway
ambulance country handbag
aquarium cricket helicopter
atmosphere cyclone highway
bannister diary horse
bathroom dictionary hurricane
bedroom dressing gown jewellery
chalkboard dustpan kitchen
bridge envelope letterbox
builder equator library
calendar eraser lifeboat
camera farmer lighthouse
caravan fireplace lightning
carton football mantelpiece
cassettes freezer meteor
certificate garage minerals
chalk garbage bin netball court
church goal posts notebook

Nouns
Common Nouns (continued)
office school telegraph pole

parachute scissors telephone
photograph screwdriver television
playground shampoo toiletries
plumber skyscraper toothbrush
post office slippers trousers
pot plants soccer tyres
projector speakers vegetables
purse speedboat video
pyjamas sports ground volcano
railway stereo wallet
rainforest suit wardrobe
razor swamp washing
refrigerator swimming pool machine
rocket tea towel wheelbarrow
sander teapot window
workbench

Nouns
Common Nouns—Animals
alligator echidna penguin

antelope goanna platypus
bandicoot grasshopper porpoise
caterpillar guinea pig reindeer
centipede hippopotamus seahorse
cheetah jaguar scorpion
chimpanzee jellyfish shark
cockroach locust squirrel
crocodile marsupial swordfish
cuckoo mosquito Tasmanian devil
dinosaur numbat termite
dragonfly octopus tortoise
eagle pelican weasel
witchetty grub

Nouns
Proper nouns
Note: A proper noun is the special name of a
specific person, place or thing. Proper nouns
begin with a capital letter.
Countries
Argentina France Malaysia

Australia Gambia Malta
Austria Germany Mexico
Baghdad Ghana Morocco
Belgium Greece Netherlands
Brazil Hungary New Zealand
Britain India Nigeria
Cambodia Indonesia North Korea
Canada Iran Norway
Chile Iraq Pakistan
China Ireland Papua New
Croatia Israel Guinea
Cuba Italy Philippines
Cyprus Japan Peru
Czech Republic Jamaica Poland
Denmark Kenya Portugal
East Timor Latvia Romania
England Lebanon Russia
Egypt Libya Samoa
Ethiopia Lithuania Scotland
Fiji Mali Senegal

Singapore Syria United States of
Somalia Thailand America
South Africa Tonga Vanuatu
South Korea Tunisia Vietnam
Spain Turkey Wales
Sweden Ukraine Yugoslavia
Switzerland Zimbabwe
Cities
Adelaide Dili New York

Amsterdam Dublin Paris
Athens Edinburgh Perth
Auckland Florence Port Moresby
Bangkok Frankfurt Prague
Barcelona Havana Rio de Janeiro
Beijing Jakarta Rome
Beirut Jerusalem Sydney
Belfast Johannesburg Tokyo
Berlin London Toronto
Bombay Los Angeles Vancouver
Brisbane Madrid Vienna
Cairo Manila Warsaw
Chicago Melbourne Washington
Darwin Montreal Wellington
Delhi Moscow

Nouns
Languages
Afrikaans Khmer
Arabic Korean
Bahasa Indonesia Kurdish
Chinese (Mandarin and Malay
Cantonese) Malta
Croatian Maori
Czech Norwegian
Danish Persian
Dutch Polish
English Portuguese
Filipino Romanian
Finnish Russian
Flemish Samoan
French Serbian
German Spanish
Greek Swahili
Hebrew Swedish
Hindi Thai
Hindustani Tongan
Hungarian Turkish
Icelandic Urdu
Italian Vietnamese
Japanese Welsh

Nouns
Celebrations
All Saints’ Day Jewish New Year (Rosh

Anzac Day Hashanah)
Australia Day Jewish Passover
Bastille Day May Day
Boxing Day Melbourne Cup Day
Buddha’s Birthday Muslim New Year
(Waisak/Wesak/Vesak Day) (Muharram)
Chinese New Year New Year’s Day
Christmas Day Queen’s Birthday
Christmas Eve (Australia and UK)
Easter Ramadan
Emperor’s Birthday (Japan) Remembrance Day
Halloween Shrove Tuesday
Hanukkah St Patrick’s Day
Jewish Day of Atonement St Valentine’s Day
(Yom Kippur) Thanksgiving Day
Waitangi Day
Terms of Address
Captain Judge/Justice Ms
Dame Madam Reverend
Dr/Doctor Master Sir
Father Miss Your Highness
Lady Mr Your Honour
Lord Mrs Your Worship

Nouns
Abstract Nouns
Note: An abstract noun is the name of
something that can’t be recognised by the
five senses—you can’t touch, taste, hear, smell
or see it—it can only be recognised by the
mind, for example, love, anger, honesty.
affection distress imagination

boredom excitement kindness
confidence experience laziness
consideration failure loneliness
danger gladness peril
despair happiness pleasure
dismay honesty possibility
satisfaction
Collective Nouns
Note: A collective noun is the name given to a
group of persons or things.
assembly committee meeting

bevy congregation organisation
bouquet convoy quiver

Nouns
Collective Nouns—Groups of Animals
barren (mules) kindle (kittens)

bevy (quail) kit (pigeons)
business (ferrets) labour (moles)
charm (finches) muster (peacocks)
covey (partridges) rookery (penguins, seals)
down (hares) shoal (fish)
drift (wild pigs) skulk (foxes)
flight (doves, swallows) sloth (bears)
gaggle (geese) tiding (magpies)
game (swans) troop (kangaroos, monkeys)
glaring (cats) unkindness (ravens)
host (sparrows) watch (nightingales)
kennel (hounds) wedge (swans in flight)

Pronouns
Note: A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.
Common Pronouns
Note: If a pronoun is the subject or part of the subject of a
sentence, it is in the nominative case, for example ‘she’ in ‘ She is
coming to my house.’ If a pronoun is the object or indirect object
of a sentence, it is in the objective case, for example ‘her’ in ‘I will
play with her .’
Nominative Objective
Singular Plural Singular Plural

First person I we me us
(speaking)
Second person you you you you
(spoken to)
Third person she, he, it they her, him, it them
(spoken about)
Possessive Pronouns
Note: Possessive pronouns show ownership.
Singular Plural
First person mine ours

(speaking)
Second person yours yours

(spoken to)
Third person hers, his, its theirs

(spoken about)

Prepositions
Note: Prepositions show relationships between nouns
(or pronouns) and other words. Preposition means
placed in front so they are usually found in front the of
nouns or pronouns. They often refer to the position of
things.
aboard between through

against beyond towards
among during underneath
around except without
beneath opposite

Verbs
Regular verbs
Note: Most verbs form their tenses in a regular way
according to the following table.
Present tense Past tense Past participle

I watch I watched I have watched
She plays She played She has played
Present Past tense Past Present

tense participle Participle
accept accepted accepted accepting
bake baked baked baking
believe believed believed believing
climb climbed climbed climbing
correct corrected corrected correcting
cough coughed coughed coughing
doze dozed dozed dozing
finish finished finished finishing
flood flooded flooded flooding
jump jumped jumped jumping
melt melted melted melting
pour poured poured pouring
scrub scrubbed scrubbed scrubbing
slice sliced sliced slicing
sneeze sneezed sneezed sneezing
snore snored snored snoring
sway swayed swayed swaying
toss tossed tossed tossing

Verbs
Irregular verbs
Note: Irregular verbs don’t form the past tense by simply adding
ed, as regular verbs do. Instead, the verb changes.
Present tense Past tense Past participle Present

Participle
(I am) (I was) (I have been) (I am being)
am was been being
bear bore borne bearing
beat beat beaten beating
become became become becoming
begin began begun beginning
bite bit bitten biting
bleed bled bled bleeding
blow blew blown blowing
break broke broken breaking
bring brought brought bringing
build built built building
burst burst burst bursting
buy bought bought buying
catch caught caught catching
choose chose chosen choosing
creep crept crept creeping
deal dealt dealt dealing
do did done doing
draw drew drawn drawing
drink drank drunk drinking
drive drove driven driving
eat ate eaten eating
fall fell fallen falling
feel felt felt feeling
fight fought fought fighting
flee fled fled fleeing
fly flew flown flying
forget forgot forgotten forgetting
freeze froze frozen freezing

Present tense Past tense Past participle Present
Participle
give gave given giving
go went gone going
grow grew grown growing
hang (person) hanged hanged hanging
hang (thing) hung hung hanging
hide hid hidden hiding
hold held held holding
hurt hurt hurt hurting
kneel knelt knelt kneeling
know knew known knowing
lay laid laid laying
leave left left leaving
lie lay lain lying
ride rode ridden riding
ring rang rung ringing
rise rose risen rising
run ran run running
see saw seen seeing
seek sought sought seeking
sew sewed sewn sewing
show showed shown showing
sing sang sung singing
sink sank sunk sinking
speak spoke spoken speaking
spring sprang sprung springing
steal stole stolen stealing
strike struck struck striking
swear swore sworn swearing
swell swelled swollen swelling
swim swam swum swimming
take took taken taking
teach taught taught teaching
tear tore torn tearing
think thought thought thinking
throw threw thrown throwing
tread trod trodden treading
weave wove woven weaving
wind wound wound winding
wring wrung wrung wringing
write wrote written writing

Verbs
Note: Verbs can be divided into four main groups:
(i) action verbs, for example, jump
(ii) saying verbs, for example, discuss
(iii) thinking and feeling verbs, for example, feel, know
(iv) having and being verbs, for example, am, has.
Action verbs
arrive poke stretch

bounce protect stroke
feed scatter struggle
gather scrub tumble
hurry search whistle
measure squeeze wriggle
Saying verbs
announce define instruct

clarify exclaim remark
convey gossip swear
declare inform wail
Thinking and feeling verbs
consider imagine remember

design organise satisfy
detest prefer suffer
doubt realise suppose
enjoy reason understand
forecast recall wonder

Verbs
Being–To Be
Present tense Past tense Past

participle
–been
I am I was I have been
she is she was she has been
he is he was he has been
it is it was it has been
we are we were we have been
you are you were you have been
they are they were they have been
Present participle–being Future tense–will be

I am being I will be
she is being she will be
he is being he will be
it is being it will be
we are being we will be
you are being you will be
they are being they will be

Verbs
Having–To Have
Present tense Past tense Past

participle
–had
I have I had I have had
she has she had she has had
he has he had he has had
it has it had it has had
we have we had we have had
you have you had you have had
they have they had they have had
Present participle–having Future tense–will have

I am having I will have
she is having she will have
he is having he will have
it is having it will have
we are having we will have
you are having you will have
they are having they will have

Adjectives
Note: Adjectives are words that tell us more
about nouns or pronouns by describing them,
adding detail, or refining their meaning.
Descriptive adjectives
accurate enormous irritable

adorable enthusiastic luxurious
amusing essential magnificent
ancient expensive marvellous
appealing extinct miserable
attractive fabulous mistaken
brilliant fantastic nervous
carefree fashionable obedient
cheerful fearless occasional
coarse fragile ordinary
comical frightened peculiar
corrupt genuine playful
cowardly gorgeous pointy
curious graceful polluted
dangerous grateful popular
dazzling gruesome radiant
deafening hostile reliable
delightful humorous respectable
depressed immense sarcastic
disgusting important satisfied
dismal inferior scarlet
dreadful intelligent scorched
elegant irregular secluded

Adjectives
serene swollen unpleasant
silent talkative unpopular
sinister tedious unusual
speckled thoughtful valuable
splendid tranquil violent
sunburnt transparent vivid
superb unfortunate vulgar
superior unique wonderful
woollen
Determiners
Note: These can also be called pointing or
demonstrative adjectives because they
demonstrate or point out nouns.
that these those

this such

Adjectives
Number Adjectives—Cardinal Numbers
one eleven fifty

two twelve one hundred
three thirteen one thousand
four fourteen ten thousand
five fifteen one hundred
six sixteen thousand
seven seventeen one million
eight eighteen one billion
nine nineteen one trillion
ten twenty
Number Adjectives—Ordinal Numbers
first tenth nineteenth

second eleventh twentieth
third twelfth fiftieth
fourth thirteenth one hundredth
fifth fourteenth one thousandth
sixth fifteenth one hundred
seventh sixteenth thousandth
eighth seventeenth one millionth
ninth eighteenth one billionth
one trillionth

Adjectives
Comparative adjectives
Adjective Comparative Superlative
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful

brave braver bravest
bright brighter brightest
clever cleverer cleverest
delicious more delicious most delicious
dusty dustier dustiest
efficient more efficient most efficient
fine finer finest
healthy healthier healthiest
heavy heavier heaviest
honest more honest most honest
humorous more humorous most humorous
lucky luckier luckiest
muddy muddier muddiest
narrow narrower narrowest
nasty nastier nastiest
noisy noisier noisiest
pleasant more pleasant most pleasant
pretty prettier prettiest
rare rarer rarest
rusty rustier rustiest
smooth smoother smoothest
wise wiser wisest

Adverbs
Note: Adverbs add meaning to verbs,
adjectives and other adverbs. They tell how
something is being done, when something is
being done or where something is being done.
‘How’ Adverbs
accidentally heartily sensibly

anxiously intently shabbily
comfortably miserably skilfully
distinctly patiently suitably
fluently practically thankfully
gracefully punctually truthfully
scornfully willingly
‘When’ Adverbs
already lately seldom

annually meanwhile shortly
fearlessly never today
gradually now tomorrow
immediately often yesterday
instantly presently yet

Adverbs
‘Where’ Adverbs
above everywhere outside

behind here somewhere
below inside upstairs
downstairs near within
elsewhere nowhere yonder
Conjunctions
Note: A conjunction is a word which joins
together two single words or two groups
of words.
although though wherever

because whenever whether
whose

Part Four
Vocabulary

Synonyms
abandon ÷ leave famous ÷ celebrated
abbreviate ÷ shorten fasten ÷ attach
abundant ÷ plentiful fierce ÷ ferocious
abuse ÷ mistreat follow ÷ pursue
advance ÷ proceed forbid ÷ prohibit
altitude ÷ height force ÷ compel
annual ÷ yearly frightened ÷ scared
assistance ÷ help gamble ÷ bet
attempt ÷ endeavour gathering ÷ assembly
basis ÷ foundation ghost ÷ apparition
blew ÷ gusted gratitude ÷ thankfulness
brief ÷ short greed ÷ avarice
calm ÷ tranquil home ÷ abode
cheat ÷ deceive inquire ÷ ask
choice ÷ option insolent ÷ cheeky
circular ÷ round interior ÷ inside
city ÷ metropolis join ÷ connect
commence ÷ begin journey ÷ trip
conceal ÷ hide lessen ÷ diminish
conclusion ÷ end loathe ÷ hate
disaster ÷ catastrophe margin ÷ edge
dress ÷ attire minimum ÷ least
drink ÷ beverage minor ÷ petty
drowsy ÷ sleepy miserable ÷ wretched
early ÷ premature mistake ÷ error
employ ÷ hire nuisance ÷ pest
excavate ÷ dig obtain ÷ procure
expect ÷ anticipate odour ÷ smell

Synonyms
pale ÷ pallid tiredness ÷ fatigue
part ÷ portion top ÷ summit
peculiar ÷ odd unbeatable÷ invincible
pierce ÷ penetrate understand÷ comprehend
question ÷ query vacant ÷ empty
raise ÷ elevate waste ÷ squander
rare ÷ scarce
reluctant ÷ unwilling
remember ÷ recollect
reveal ÷ show
rotten ÷ putrid
scarce ÷ scanty
scatter ÷ disperse
serious ÷ grave
show ÷ demonstrate
sign ÷ omen
significant ÷ important
slender ÷ slim
small ÷ diminutive
stationary ÷ still
still ÷ motionless
stop ÷ cease
strong ÷ robust
stubborn ÷ obstinate
sufficient ÷ enough
talk ÷ converse
taught ÷ instructed

Antonyms
absence fi presence numerous fi few
accept fi refuse often fi seldom
advance fi retreat opaque fi transparent
ancient fi modern permanent fi temporary
arrive fi leave powerful fi weak
artificial fi genuine present fi absent
barren fi fertile private fi public
better fi worse punishment fi reward
bless fi curse rapid fi slow
captivity fi freedom reap fi sow
comic fi tragic reveal fi hide
conceal fi reveal stationary fi mobile
contract fi expand stubborn fi flexible
deny fi admit success fi failure
failure fi success sudden fi gradual
familiar fi unfamiliar summer fi winter
famous fi unknown unique fi common
forbid fi allow waste fi conserve
guilty fi innocent
hollow fi solid
honest fi dishonest
idle fi busy
import fi export
knowledgeable fi ignorant
liberty fi captivity
maximum fi minimum
minor fi major
minority fi majority

Prefixes
Note: A prefix is added to the beginning of a word or
word element to add to or qualify its meaning.
a– (on) auto– (self) co–, com-

aboard autobiography (together,
aloft autodidact with)
ashore autograph coefficient
automatic coexist
ante– (before)
automobile cohabit
antecede
autonomous commiserate
antedate
compound
antechamber bi– (two)
co-operate
antenatal bicep
bicycle contra–
anti– (against)
bicuspid (against)
antibiotic
biennial contraband
anticlimax
bifocal contradict
anticlockwise
bipedal contraindicate
antidote
contrary
antipathy circum–
contrast
antipodes (around)
contravene
circumference
arch– (chief)
circumlocution counter–
archangel
circumnavigate (against)
archbishop
circumscribe counteract
archduke
circumspect counterattack
archenemy
circumstance counterbalance
archetype
counterclaim
architect
counterweight

Prefixes
dis- (apart for– im– (not)
from, not) (excluding, immaterial
disappear prohibiting) immature
disenchant forbear immeasurable
dislocate forbid imperfect
dispel forfeit impersonal
disobey forget
in– (not)
disperse forgo
inarticulate
forswear
ex– (out of, inclement
from) fore– (before) incomplete
excavate forearm inconvenient
exceed forebear independent
excerpt forebode
inter–
excuse forecast
(between,
exfoliate foreground
among)
extract foretell
interact
extra– homo– (same) intermediate
(outside, homoeopathy interrupt
beyond) homogeneous intersection
extracurricular homonym interstellar
extraordinary homophone interval
extrasensory
il– (not) intro– (into,
extraterrestrial
illegal within)
extravagant
illegible introduce
extravaganza
illiterate introspection
illogical introvert

Prefixes
ir– (not) mono– (single) post– (after)
irrational monochrome postgraduate
irreplaceable monocle post-mortem
irrepressible monogamy post-operative
irresponsible monologue postpone
irreverent monopoly postscript
irreversible monotonous
pre– (before)
mid– (middle) non– (not) precaution
midnight nondescript precede
midriff nonentity precursor
midstream nonsense predict
midsummer nonverbal prefix
midweek non-violent prelude
midwinter
per– (through) pro– (before,
mis– (wrong) perceive in front,
misadventure percolate forward, forth)
misbehave perforate procreate
misfortune persist produce
misname pervade profile
misspell project
phil– (love of)
misunderstand pronoun
philanthropist
protrude
philosophy

Prefixes
re– (again) super– (over) tri– (three)
reclaim superfluous triangle
redo superhuman tricycle
reflect supernatural trilogy
repeat supernova trio
replace supersonic triplets
revert supervisor triptych
semi– (half) tele– (far un– (not,

semicircle away) reverse)
semicolon telegram unclear
semiquaver telegraph undo
semi-trailer telephone uneven
semi-tropical telephoto unfair
telescope unlock
sub– (under)
television untouched
submarine
submit trans– (across, uni– (one)
subplot beyond) unicellular
subsoil transatlantic unicorn
substandard transgress unicycle
subterranean translucent uniform
transplant unilateral
transport unique
transpose

Suffixes
Note: A suffix is added to the end of a word or word element to
change its function or meaning.
–able (tending –al (relating –ary, –ery (that

to, able) to) which, place
amiable commercial where)
enjoyable electrical bakery
lovable legal dictionary
perishable residential revolutionary
readable technical secretary
reliable theatrical visionary
–age (state of –ance, –ence –en (having

being, place (state of nature of)
of, result of) being) ashen
anchorage abundance broken
leakage deference earthen
personage difference golden
shrinkage diligence molten
usage excellence spoken
wastage importance

Suffixes
–en (to make –est (most) –hood (state of
or become) cleanest rank)
darken dearest adulthood
flatten deepest childhood
lengthen easiest falsehood
quicken loudest likelihood
soften tightest neighbourhood
widen
–ful –ic (pertaining
–er (one who, (characterised to, like)
that which) by, full of) aromatic
cleaner beautiful artistic
farmer graceful athletic
foreigner masterful dramatic
grocer plentiful historic
printer skilful volcanic
teacher successful
–er (more) –fy (make or

cheaper form into)
dearer clarify
farther glorify
faster magnify
lighter qualify
stronger signify
simplify

Suffixes
–ish (having –ive ( having –ly (having
nature of) nature of, the quality of)
childish quality of, actively
fiendish given to) attentively
foolish active happily
destructive justly
–ist (one who)
effective rapidly
artist
explosive swiftly
biologist
festive
chemist –ment
inventive
humorist (resulting
journalist –less (without) state, action or
graceless process)
–ity, –ty (state
merciless amazement
of being)
penniless movement
activity
priceless refinement
creativity
reckless refreshment
fragility
ruthless settlement
purity
treatment
reality

Suffixes
–ness (quality –ous (state of –tion, –ion
or state of condition, (act, process,
being) having quality state)
blindness of) attraction
goodness courageous election
happiness humorous emotion
kindness joyous narration
sweetness nebulous protection
wickedness prosperous vision
spontaneous
–or (person –ure (act,
who, state of –ship (office, process)
quality) profession, adventure
actor art, or skill) capture
creator friendship composure
editor partnership enclosure
illustrator penmanship failure
supervisor relationship pleasure
sportsmanship

Homographs
Note: Homonyms are words that are spelt the same,
with different meanings. They may have slightly different
pronunciations.
Word Meanings
bass fish (noun) low (usually of a voice)
(adjective)
conduct behaviour (noun) direct an orchestra (verb)
content book contents (noun) happy (adjective)
converse opposite (noun) talk with someone (verb)
convict prisoner (noun) to prove guilty of an
offence (verb)
desert dry sandy area (noun) to abandon (verb)
lead a soft metal (noun) to show the way (verb)
minute unit of time (noun) very small (adjective)
object thing (noun) to express disapproval
(verb)
present gift (noun) to give to (verb)
refuse rubbish (noun) to decline (verb)
sow female pig (noun) to scatter seed (verb)
tear fluid secreted by to rip up (verb)
the eye (noun)
wind moving air currents to coil around something
(noun) (verb)

Anagrams
Note: An anagram is made by changing the order of the
letters in a word to form a new word.
asleep ÷ please listen ÷ tinsel

blame ÷ amble mantle ÷ lament
ample ÷ maple march ÷ charm
bruise ÷ rubies north ÷ thorn
cared ÷ cedar please ÷ elapse
cause ÷ sauce priest ÷ stripe
clean ÷ lance result ÷ rustle
could ÷ cloud rinse ÷ reins
design ÷ singed risen ÷ siren
disease ÷ seaside scalp ÷ clasp
drive ÷ diver score ÷ cores
earth ÷ heart setter ÷ street
filter ÷ trifle spider ÷ prides
finger ÷ fringe staple ÷ pastel
flier ÷ rifle swine ÷ sinew
forest ÷ softer sword ÷ words
garden ÷ danger table ÷ bleat
general ÷ enlarge tales ÷ slate
groan ÷ organ teacher ÷ hectare
horse ÷ shore toast ÷ stoat
lemons ÷ solemn

Onomatopoeia
Note: Onomatopoeic words imitate the sound
they describe.
boing gulp scratch

boom gurgle screech
buzz hiss slop
chirp oink smash
clang ooze snap
click plonk splash
clunk plop splutter
crackle puff tick
crash rattle whirr
creak rip whoosh
fizz roar zoom
Palindromes
Note: A palindrome is a word (or sentence)
that reads the same backwards as forwards.
bib gig peep

dad Hannah pep
deed level pip
did madam pop
dud minim pup
eve mum radar
ewe nan redder
eye noon refer
gag nun tenet

Portmanteau Words
Note: A portmanteau word is a word made by
telescoping or blending two other words, for
example automatic + bank fi autobank.
bookmobile fi book and mobile

breathalyser fi breath and analyser
brunch fi breakfast and lunch
heliport fi helicopter and airport
hi-fi fi high fidelity
Medicare fi medical and care
moped fi motor and pedal
motel fi motor and hotel
o’clock fi of the clock
paratroops fi parachute and troops
smog fi smoke and fog
squiggle fi squirm and wriggle
telecast fi television and broadcast

Phobias
Note: A phobia is an obsessive fear of a
particular thing or situation.
acrophobia fear of heights

agoraphobia fear of open spaces
ailurophobia fear of cats
anthropophobia fear of people
apiphobia fear of bees
aquaphobia fear of water
arachnophobia fear of spiders
astraphobia fear of lightning
batrachophobia fear of frogs
brentophobia fear of thunder
claustrophobia fear of being closed in
cynophobia fear of dogs
equinophobia fear of horses
ichthyophobia fear of fish
menophobia fear of being alone
musephobia fear of mice
nyctophobia fear of darkness
ombrophobia fear of rain
ophidiophobia fear of snakes
ornithophobia fear of birds
pyrophobia fear of fire
scopophobia fear of being looked at
tharatophobia fear of death
trychophobia fear of hair
xenophobia fear of strangers

Eponyms
Note: Eponyms are words that are derived
from the name of a person or place.
Words from the Names of People
atlas A book of maps—from Atlas, a Greek god who

held up the universe on his shoulders.
boycott Named after Charles C Boycott, a greedy
English landlord whose Irish tenants combined
against him in 1880. Today when people
boycott a product they refuse to buy it.
Braille A method of reading for blind people, named
after its developer Louis Braille, a French
educator. Raised dots stand for letters and
numbers and can be understood by touch.
cardigan A buttoned jersey—first worn by the English
nobleman Earl Cardigan in about 1855.
cereal Edible grain such as wheat, rice, barley—from
Ceres, the goddess of corn.
diesel A kind of engine—named after its inventor, the
German scientist Rudolph Diesel.
guillotine A decapitating machine—named after its
French inventor, Dr Joseph Guillotin (1738–1814).
hygiene The science of health—from Hygeia, the Greek
goddess of health.
January The first month—from Janus, the Roman god
who guarded doors, who was often represented
with two faces, one facing forward and one
backward.

lynch To hang someone without a fair trial. This
illegal method of killing was named for
Colonel William Lynch, an American soldier.
Logies Television awards—named after John Logie
Baird, a Scottish scientist who is credited with
developing television.
morse A telegraphic code—from its American
inventor Samuel F B Morse (1791–1872).
nicotine A poisonous substance in tobacco—named
after Jean Nicot, a French diplomat who
introduced tobacco to France.
panic Great fear and confusion—from the Greek god
Pan, who was said to cause it.
pasteurise To sterilise by heating—named after the
French biologist Louis Pasteur (1822–1895).
sandwich Named after the Earl of Sandwich in England
(1718–1792), an enthusiastic card player who
ate meat between slices of bread to save
having to leave a card game to eat a meal.
saxophone A musical instrument—named after Adolph
Sax, from Germany, who invented it.
teddy bear Named after Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, an
American president who once refused to kill a
bear on a hunting trip.
volcano An erupting mountain—from Vulcan, the Greek
god of fire.
watt, ohm, volt, ampere These words describe different
properties of electricity, and are named after the
scientists James Watt, George Simon Ohm,
Alessandro Volta and André Marie Ampere.

Eponyms
Words from the Names of Places
attic The top room in a house—from Atticus, a

region near Athens in Greece.
bantam A small fowl—from Bantam in Java,
Indonesia.
cantaloupe A kind of melon—named after Cantalupo, the
village in Italy where it was first grown.
china Special porcelain dishes—named for the
country China, where very fine porcelain was
made. Today china is made in many
countries.
chihuahua The smallest dog in the world gets its name
from Chihuahua, a state in Mexico. It was
first bred by the Aztecs.
currant A dried grape)—from the vineyards of Corinth
in Greece.
dollar A city in Germany called Joachimsthal was
famous for its silver mines, and since money
was made out of silver, people would
exchange what became known to them as
‘joachimsthalers’. To make it easier to say,
they called their money thalers. This word
finally changed into our word ‘dollar’.
frankfurter A hot dog—named for the German city of
Frankfurt.
hamburger Named after the German city of Hamburg.
jeans Named after the city of Genoa in Italy, where
jeans were first made.

marathon An Olympic footrace—named after Marathon,
a Greek city. There is a legend that a young
man ran all the way from Marathon to Athens
to announce that the Greeks had defeated the
Persians in battle. After he related the news,
he dropped dead from exhaustion.
mayonnaise A savoury spread named for Port Mahon on
an island near Spain.
palace A royal residence—named after the Palatine
Hill in Ancient Rome, which was famous for
its beautiful homes.
port Wine from Oporto in Portugal.
rugby Football—from Rugby School in England,
where this sport was first played.
spinach A leafy vegetable named after the country of
Spain.
tangerine A small orange fruit named for the city of
Tangier in Morocco.
tobacco Plant named after an island of the Antilles
which is now known as Tobago.

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Vowel sounds
Short a sound

Blake's Word Bank is an essential teaching resource
which will enrich your language lessons and
provide word lists for all your needs—planning
lessons, designing classroom activities, and
extension, reinforcement and enrichment work.
by Peter Clutterbuck The word lists are grouped in four sections for ease
of use:
Sounds—including vowel sounds, digraphs and

blends.
Spelling—including homophones, compound words,

plurals and frequently misspelt words.
Grammar—including common, abstract and proper

nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.
Vocabulary—including synonyms, antonyms,

prefixes, suffixes, palindromes and eponyms.
Also available:
Blake’s Word Bank Lower Primary
Blake’s Word Bank Middle Primary
Other series by
Peter Clutterbuck
Grammar with a Grin
Good Grammar!
Spelling Success!
Understanding Science
ISBN 978-1-86509-773-2
9 781865 097732

Blakes Word Bank UPPER Primary Final

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Blakes Word Bank UPPER Primary Final

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

978 1 86509 773 2

Blake’s Word Bank: Upper

Publisher: Sharon Dalgleish

Reproduction and communication for educational purposes

For details of the CAL licence for educational institutions contact:

Reproduction and communication for other purposes

Detailed List of Contents 4

Part Three—Grammar 100

Part Four—Vocabulary 124

45 Sounds of the English Language 13

Consonant Digraphs—Final and Medial 42

Consonant Blends—Final and Medial 57

Other Consonant Sounds—Initial 62

Other Consonant Sounds—Final and Medial 63

Some Other Important Sounds 67

Part Three—Grammar 100

Part Four—Vocabulary 124

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 7

The Symbols Used in this Book Uses of the Word Bank

8 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

Part 1 Sounds What Am I?

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 9

10 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 11

12 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 13

14 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

animal demand January

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 15

apricot disgrace radiator

16 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

banana calves koala

‘a’ = short /o/ sound

quality squash watched

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 17

cadet fetch scent

‘e’ = long /e/ sound

compete discrete female

18 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 19

advice describe rite

20 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

adopt constant monster

‘o’ = long /o/ sound

chrome microscope telescope

‘o’ = short /u/ sound

among lovely wonderful

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 21

adult glut sprung

22 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

accuse fumes produce

‘u’ = short /oo/ sound

cushion shush sugar

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 23

‘ai’ = long /a/ sound

acquaint faintly raising

‘ay’ = long /a/ sound

allay Friday prayed

24 Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary

apartment carnival harvest

Blake’s Word Bank—Upper Primary 25

‘au’ = /or/ sound

applause exhaust jaunt