Sounds & Spelling
Say it right
English spelling doesn't always show the sound. Some letters stay silent.
1 Observe
Say each word aloud using the respelling. Which letter do you not hear?
- Receipt Say: ri-SEET. The p is silent.
- Debt Say: DET. The b is silent.
- Island Say: EYE-lund. The s is silent.
- Salmon Say: SAM-un. The l is silent.
2 Discover
Many English words have silent letters. You write them, but you don't say them: the b in debt, the s in island. When you meet a new word, listen to how it is said, and don't trust the spelling alone.
3 Apply
At the shop in Chennai, Kabir asked for a receipt. How do you say 'receipt'?
Which letter is silent in 'doubt'?
How do you say 'island', as in the islands of Lakshadweep?
4 Create
Write a sentence with two words that have silent letters, and underline the silent letters.
This box is just for you. Nothing you write here is saved or sent.
Example: Sana used a knife to cut the mango and kept the receipt from the market.
5 Explore
Open the 'say it' cards and practise each word aloud.