Detailed Explanation of Which Consonant Blend Does the Word Start With? 🧐🔤
A consonant blend is when two consonant sounds are put together at the beginning of a word, but you can still hear both sounds clearly. These are called blends at the beginning of words.
In Year 1 English, you will learn to recognise common consonant blends like bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, and tr. These blends help you sound out and read new words.
What is a Consonant Blend? 🎶
A consonant blend is two letters that work together at the start of a word. Each letter has its own sound, but together they make a new sound. For example, in the word black, the letters b and l make the blend bl. You say both sounds quickly together: “b-lack.”
Common Starting Consonant Blends and Examples 📚
- bl – as in black, blue, blind
- cl – as in clap, clip, clock
- fl – as in flag, flip, flower
- gl – as in glad, glow, glass
- pl – as in play, plum, plant
- sl – as in slide, slip, sled
- br – as in brush, brown, brick
- cr – as in crab, cry, crown
- dr – as in drum, dress, drop
- fr – as in frog, friend, fruit
- gr – as in green, grass, grow
- pr – as in pretend, print, prize
- tr – as in tree, truck, train
How to Recognise Starting Consonant Blends 👀👂
- Look at the first two letters of the word. If they are two consonants and you can hear both sounds, it might be a blend.
- Say the sounds slowly. For example, with the word frog, say /f/ and /r/ quickly together: “fr.”
- Practice reading words with blends. This helps you get used to hearing and saying the blends.
Helpful Tips for Year 1 Learners 💡👍
- When you see two letters at the start of a word, don’t just say the first letter sound. Try to say both sounds fast.
- Clap or tap your fingers for each sound to help hear both letters.
- Play games where you find words with blends around you—like clock on a wall or plant in the garden.
Knowing which consonant blend a word starts with helps you read and spell words better. Keep practising these blends, and soon reading will be easier and more fun! 🎉📖
20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Consonant Blends for Year 1 Students 📝✅
Here are 20 examination-style questions to help Year 1 students practise identifying which consonant blend a word starts with. These questions include word-based tasks and multiple choice formats, all focusing on consonant blends taught in key stage 1 phonics lessons according to the UK National Curriculum.
Questions ❓
- Which consonant blend does the word plant start with?
a) pl
b) pr
c) bl
Answer: a) pl - What blend do you hear at the start of frog?
a) fr
b) fl
c) gr
Answer: a) fr - Name the consonant blend at the start of snack.
Answer: sn - Choose the correct blend for clip.
a) cl
b) cr
c) br
Answer: a) cl - Which blend begins the word flag?
a) fl
b) fr
c) str
Answer: a) fl - What blend do you hear at the start of brick?
Answer: br - Select the blend at the beginning of spot.
a) sp
b) st
c) sc
Answer: a) sp - The word drink starts with which blend?
a) dr
b) tr
c) bl
Answer: a) dr - What blend does slide start with?
a) sl
b) sp
c) st
Answer: a) sl - Identify the consonant blend at the start of trap.
Answer: tr - Does the word crab start with:
a) br
b) cr
c) cl
Answer: b) cr - Which blend is in the beginning of skate?
a) sl
b) sk
c) sn
Answer: b) sk - What blend begins the word blue?
Answer: bl - The word smile starts with which blend?
a) sn
b) sm
c) sp
Answer: b) sm - Choose the blend at the start of twist.
a) tw
b) tr
c) twi
Answer: a) tw - What blend do you hear at the start of sled?
Answer: sl - Which blend starts the word branch?
a) br
b) bl
c) cr
Answer: a) br - Identify the consonant blend at the start of street.
a) st
b) str
c) sc
Answer: b) str - What is the starting blend in spill?
Answer: sp - Does thrill begin with:
a) th
b) tr
c) thr
Answer: c) thr
These questions help Year 1 pupils practise recognising common consonant blends at the beginning of words, matching key aspects of the UK National Curriculum phonics teaching. 🌟📘
