Sight Words — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. I could run fast if I try hard.
'Could' is a sight word because the l is silent and the 'ou' makes an 'oo' sound. First graders must recognize 'could' as a whole word since sounding it out gives the wrong answer.
2. She brushes her teeth every night.
'Every' has three syllables but is often said as two ('ev-ry'). First graders learn 'every' by sight so they can read it smoothly in time and frequency sentences.
3. Please give the book to me.
'Give' ends with a silent e, but the i stays short instead of becoming long. This breaks the usual silent-e rule, so first graders learn 'give' as a sight word.
4. The cat jumped over the fence.
'Over' is used for direction and position. First graders see it often in stories and directions, so it is on the Dolch list to help them read spatial words instantly.
5. I give my old toys to my brother.
'Give' appears in many everyday sentences about sharing and presents. Practicing it twice helps first graders lock the word into sight-word memory for fast reading.
6. Every child got a sticker today.
'Every' often starts sentences, so first graders must recognize its capital form too. Reading 'Every' instantly, with or without a capital, is a key sight-word skill.
7. He said he could see the stars at night.
'Could' comes up in stories about what characters were able to do. Recognizing 'could' by sight helps first graders follow past-tense stories without stumbling on spelling.
8. The plane flew over the clouds.
'Over' and 'under' are opposite position words first graders use often. Learning 'over' as a sight word helps students picture stories and follow directions correctly.
9. I read this book every day.
'Every day' is a common phrase in first-grade reading. Knowing 'every' by sight lets first graders read these frequency phrases smoothly and understand habits in stories.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
after
→ later in time
to move on your feet
from
→ starting point
to have learned
walk
→ to move on your feet
later in time
know
→ to have learned
starting point
Matching sight words to meanings helps first graders move beyond just recognizing the word — they also understand what it means. 'After' means later, 'from' tells a starting point, 'walk' is moving on feet, and 'know' means to have learned. Understanding meaning builds reading comprehension along with fluency.