R-Controlled Vowels — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each word by its r-controlled vowel.
AR or OR sound
carforstarhorn ER/IR/UR /ur/ sound
birdcurl Ar in car and star sounds like car. Or in for and horn sounds like for. Bird and curl use ir and ur, which both make the /ur/ sound.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The yellow car drove down the road.
The word car uses the ar pattern. The R makes the A sound like the start of the word car.
2. A robin is a kind of bird that sings.
Bird uses ir. The ir pattern makes the /ur/ sound you also hear in girl and first.
3. I waited for my turn in line.
For uses the or pattern. The R makes the O sound like the or in horn and short.
4. The bright star shone in the night sky.
Star uses ar. The R makes the A sound like the ar in car and part.
5. Mom used a brush to curl her hair.
Curl uses ur. The ur pattern makes the /ur/ sound you also hear in hurt and turn.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. The letter R is sometimes called bossy R.
True False
R is called bossy R because it changes the vowel's normal sound when it comes right after the vowel.
2. The words bird and girl have the ar sound.
True False
Bird and girl use the ir pattern, not ar. Ir makes the /ur/ sound, while ar sounds like car.
3. The words er, ir, and ur can all make the same /ur/ sound.
True False
Her, bird, and hurt all end with the /ur/ sound, even though they use three different spellings.
4. The word horn has the ar sound like car.
True False
Horn uses the or pattern. It sounds like for and short, not like car or star.