Spelling Patterns — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each word by its ending pattern: -ck after a short vowel or -k after a long vowel.
-ck after short vowel
backduckneckrock -k after long vowel
bikelakewokebroke The -ck spelling follows short vowel sounds, while -k is used when a long vowel or silent-e makes the vowel say its name.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The baby yellow duck swam on the pond.
Duck has a short u, so it ends in -ck to match the short vowel rule.
2. I ride my red bike to school every day.
Bike has a long i because of silent e, so -k (not -ck) is correct.
3. We swam across the blue lake in summer.
Lake ends in silent e, making a long; long vowels use -k alone.
4. A big gray rock sat on the hill.
Rock has a short o sound, so the ending is spelled -ck.
5. My scarf is warm around my neck today.
Neck has a short e sound, so -ck is used at the end.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. The word 'duck' ends in -ck because it has a short u sound.
True False
True. Short vowel sounds like short u are followed by the -ck spelling.
2. The word 'bike' should be spelled 'bicke' with -ck.
True False
False. Bike has a long i, so it ends in just -k, not -ck.
3. The word 'lake' uses -k because the vowel is long.
True False
True. Long vowel sounds use -k alone, not -ck.
4. Both short and long vowels always use -ck at the end.
True False
False. Short vowels use -ck, but long vowels only use -k.