Year 4 English: Spell Words with Open and Closed Syllables

What are Syllables?

Hello, everyone! Today, we are going to learn about syllables. A syllable is a part of a word that has a vowel sound.

• For example, the word “banana” has three syllables: ba-na-na.

Open and Closed Syllables

Syllables can be open or closed. Let’s find out what that means!

Open Syllables

An open syllable ends with a vowel sound. This means the vowel is not closed in by a consonant.

• For example, in the word “he”, the “e” is an open syllable because it ends with the vowel “e”.

Key Rule: If a syllable ends with a vowel, it is open.

Closed Syllables

A closed syllable ends with a consonant, which means the vowel is closed in by a consonant.

• For example, in the word “cat”, the “a” is closed in by the “t”, making “cat” a closed syllable.

Key Rule: If a syllable ends with a consonant, it is closed.

Examples

Let’s look at some examples together!

Open Syllable Words:

1. Go (1 syllable)
2. Me (1 syllable)
3. Baby (2 syllables: ba-by)
4. Tiger (2 syllables: ti-ger)

Closed Syllable Words:

1. Cat (1 syllable)
2. Jump (1 syllable)
3. Sister (2 syllables: sis-ter)
4. Basket (2 syllables: bas-ket)

Tips and Tricks

• Sound it Out: When you hear a vowel sound at the end of a syllable, it might be open.
• Look for Consonants: If a vowel is followed by a consonant in the same syllable, it is likely closed.
• Clap it Out: Clap your hands for each syllable in a word. It can help you hear the parts better!

Questions

Easy Level Questions (20 Questions)

1. Is “go” an open or closed syllable?
2. How many syllables are in “water”?
3. Is “cat” an open or closed syllable?
4. What is the first syllable in “table”?
5. Is “he” an open syllable?
6. How many syllables are in “happy”?
7. Is “dog” an open or closed syllable?
8. What is the second syllable in “garden”?
9. Is “me” an open syllable?
10. How many syllables are in “pencil”?
11. Is “tree” an open syllable?
12. What is the first syllable in “apple”?
13. Is “bat” an open or closed syllable?
14. How many syllables are in “banana”?
15. What is the first syllable in “candle”?
16. Is “no” an open syllable?
17. How many syllables are in “sister”?
18. Is “rat” an open or closed syllable?
19. What is the second syllable in “teacher”?
20. Is “fly” an open syllable?

Medium Level Questions (20 Questions)

1. How many syllables are in “animal”?
2. Is “baker” an open or closed syllable?
3. What are the two syllables in “tiger”?
4. Is “sand” an open or closed syllable?
5. How many syllables are in “computer”?
6. Is “open” an open or closed syllable?
7. What is the first syllable in “mountain”?
8. Is “milk” an open or closed syllable?
9. How many syllables are in “together”?
10. What is the second syllable in “basketball”?
11. Is “paper” an open or closed syllable?
12. How many syllables are in “wonderful”?
13. Is “garden” an open or closed syllable?
14. What is the first syllable in “elephant”?
15. Is “stop” an open or closed syllable?
16. How many syllables are in “television”?
17. Is “sister” an open or closed syllable?
18. What is the second syllable in “chocolate”?
19. Is “candle” an open or closed syllable?
20. How many syllables are in “incredible”?

Hard Level Questions (20 Questions)

1. Is “situation” an open or closed syllable?
2. How many syllables are in “unbelievable”?
3. What is the first syllable in “extraordinary”?
4. Is “wonderful” an open or closed syllable?
5. How many syllables are in “understanding”?
6. Is “information” an open or closed syllable?
7. What is the second syllable in “celebration”?
8. How many syllables are in “unnecessary”?
9. Is “disappear” an open or closed syllable?
10. What is the first syllable in “mathematics”?
11. How many syllables are in “representation”?
12. Is “fascinating” an open or closed syllable?
13. What is the second syllable in “communication”?
14. How many syllables are in “unbelievable”?
15. Is “explanation” an open or closed syllable?
16. What is the first syllable in “intelligent”?
17. How many syllables are in “determination”?
18. Is “interpretation” an open or closed syllable?
19. What is the second syllable in “congratulations”?
20. How many syllables are in “responsibility”?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. Open
2. 2
3. Closed
4. ta
5. Open
6. 2
7. Closed
8. gar
9. Open
10. 2
11. Open
12. ap
13. Closed
14. 3
15. can
16. Open
17. 2
18. Closed
19. tea
20. Open

Medium Level Answers

1. 3
2. Open
3. ti-ger
4. Closed
5. 3
6. Open
7. moun
8. Closed
9. 3
10. ket
11. Open
12. 4
13. Closed
14. el
15. Closed
16. 4
17. Closed
18. co
19. Closed
20. 4

Hard Level Answers

1. Closed
2. 5
3. ex-tra
4. Closed
5. 5
6. Closed
7. la
8. 5
9. Closed
10. mat
11. 5
12. Closed
13. ca
14. 5
15. Closed
16. in
17. 5
18. Closed
19. la
20. 5

Now that you’ve learned about open and closed syllables, you can practice spelling words and identifying syllables with confidence! Happy learning!