Spelling Patterns — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which word correctly doubles the consonant before adding -ed?
A) stoped
B) stopped
C) stoppped
D) stopted
When a short vowel word ends in a single consonant, you double the consonant before adding -ed. Stop becomes stopped.
2. When you add -ous to "marvel," what is the correct spelling?
A) marvelous
B) marvelos
C) marveleous
D) marvellious
Marvelous uses the -ous suffix and means wonderful or extraordinary.
3. Which group of words all follow the same spelling pattern?
A) bright, freight, eight
B) bright, weight, catch
C) night, train, fight
D) sight, light, might
Sight, light, and might all share the -ight spelling pattern.
4. What happens when you add -ing to the word "write"?
A) writeing
B) writting
C) writing
D) writhing
When a word ends in silent e, you drop the e before adding -ing. Write becomes writing.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The bridge across the river was closed for repairs. (-ight is not the pattern; think of a word with silent letters)
Bridge has a silent d before the ge ending. The -dge pattern is common in English spelling.
2. Be careful with that vase; it is very breakable. (prefix + base: break → able)
Breakable uses the suffix -able, meaning 'able to be.' Breakable means able to be broken.
3. She was writing a letter to her grandmother. (write → drop e + -ing)
When a word ends in silent e, you drop the e before adding -ing. Write becomes writing.
4. The gorgeous sunset painted the sky orange and pink. (-ous word)
Gorgeous uses the -ous suffix pattern and means very beautiful or stunning.
5. We need to preview the paragraph before we publish it. (prefix pre- + view)
The prefix pre- means 'before.' Adding pre- to view makes preview, meaning to view before publishing.