Vowel Digraphs & Diphthongs — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each word by its vowel team.
oi in the middle
coinpointsoil oy at the end
boytoyjoy Coin, point, and soil have oi in the middle. Boy, toy, and joy end with oy.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The farmer planted seeds in the rich soil.
Soil uses oi because the diphthong sound comes in the middle of the word.
2. My baby brother plays with a red toy.
Toy uses oy because the diphthong sound comes at the end of the word.
3. Please point to the answer on the board.
Point has oi in the middle, following the Grade 2 placement rule.
4. Birthday cake fills me with joy.
Joy ends with oy because the diphthong falls at the end of the word.
5. She dropped a silver coin into the fountain.
Coin uses oi in the middle of the word, matching the Grade 2 rule.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. Boy is spelled with oi because the sound is in the middle.
True False
Boy ends with oy. The oy spelling belongs at the end of a word.
2. Point has oi in the middle of the word.
True False
Point has oi in the middle, which is correct for Grade 2 spelling.
3. Oi and oy make the same diphthong sound.
True False
Both oi and oy make the same gliding diphthong; only the placement changes.
4. Words like joy and toy should be spelled with oi.
True False
Joy and toy end with the diphthong, so they use oy, not oi.