11-Plus English: Spelling Rules and Challenges

Spelling Rules and Challenges in 11-Plus English

Mastering spelling is a crucial component of the 11-plus English exam. This section will cover essential spelling rules, common patterns, and challenges that students may encounter.

Spelling Rules

• Making Words Plural: Generally, adding -s or -es to a word forms its plural. For example, cat becomes cats, while box becomes boxes.
• Adding Prefixes and Suffixes: When adding prefixes (e.g., un-) or suffixes (e.g., -ing), it is important to know how the base word changes. For instance, happy becomes unhappy and happiness.
• Words with Double Letters: Some words require double letters when adding suffixes, such as run becoming running.
• Common Letter Strings: Recognizing common letter strings can aid in spelling. For example, the -ough string appears in words like though and through.
• Words with Silent Letters: Silent letters can be tricky. For instance, in the word knight, the k is silent.
• Forming Compound Words: Compound words are formed by combining two words, such as tooth + brush = toothbrush.

Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Understanding these can prevent common mistakes. Examples include:

• their (possessive) vs. there (location) vs. they're (contraction of they are)
• to (preposition) vs. two (number) vs. too (also)

Commonly Misspelled Words

Students should also familiarize themselves with commonly misspelled words. Examples include:

• definitely
• separate
• accommodate

Worked Example

Problem: Spell the plural of the word child.

Solution:

• Identify the base word: child
• Apply the plural rule: child becomes children

By mastering these spelling rules and recognizing common challenges, students will enhance their performance in the 11-plus English exam.