Spelling Patterns — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each word by the sound of the letter g: soft g (like j) or hard g (like in go).
soft g (sounds like j)
gemgiantgentlepage hard g (as in go)
gogumgamegold The letter g is soft before e, i, or y and sounds like j; it is hard before a, o, or u and sounds like g in go.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. I found a shiny green gem in the box.
Gem has soft g because g is followed by e, making the j sound.
2. We chew pink bubble gum at recess.
Gum has a hard g sound because g is followed by the vowel u.
3. The kind giant carried the small bird.
Giant uses soft g because the letter g is followed by i.
4. I turned the page of my story book.
Page ends with soft g because g is followed by silent e.
5. The pirate hid his gold in the sand.
Gold has a hard g sound because g is followed by the vowel o.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. The letter g makes a soft sound in the word 'gentle'.
True False
True. G is followed by e, so it sounds soft like the letter j.
2. The word 'go' has a soft g sound.
True False
False. Go has a hard g because g is followed by o, a back vowel.
3. G is usually soft when it comes before e, i, or y.
True False
True. Before e, i, or y, the letter g usually makes a soft j sound.
4. The word 'game' uses the soft g sound.
True False
False. Game has a hard g because g is followed by a, not e, i, or y.