Free CALT Orthography and Spelling Rules Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following words correctly applies the FLOSS rule?
- Gas
- Fluff (Correct answer)
- Dog
- Bus
Correct answer: Fluff
The FLOSS rule states that in a one-syllable word with a short vowel, the final f, l, s, or z is doubled. 'Fluff' is a one-syllable word with a short 'u' sound, so the final 'f' is correctly doubled. The other words do not meet the criteria for this rule.
Question 2: The digraph 'ck' is typically used to spell the /k/ sound in which situation?
- After a long vowel sound.
- At the beginning of a word.
- After a short vowel in a one-syllable word. (Correct answer)
- After a consonant.
Correct answer: After a short vowel in a one-syllable word.
The 'ck' digraph is used for the /k/ sound immediately following a short vowel in a one-syllable word (e.g., 'duck', 'sick', 'rock'). After a long vowel or vowel team, 'k' or 'ke' is used (e.g., 'soak', 'bike'). After a consonant, 'k' is used (e.g., 'milk', 'bank').
Question 3: In the word 'hope', the Vowel-Consonant-e (VCe) pattern serves what primary function?
- It makes the 'o' a short vowel sound.
- It is pronounced as a separate syllable.
- It makes the preceding vowel long and is silent. (Correct answer)
- It indicates the word is a plural noun.
Correct answer: It makes the preceding vowel long and is silent.
The VCe pattern, also known as silent 'e' or magic 'e', signals that the preceding vowel has its long sound. The 'e' itself is silent. This is why 'hop' (short /o/) becomes 'hope' (long /o/).
Question 4: Which word correctly demonstrates the rule for changing 'y' to 'i' before adding a suffix?
- Playing
- Happily (Correct answer)
- Joyfull
- Studys
Correct answer: Happily
The rule is to change 'y' to 'i' when a base word ends in a consonant followed by 'y', before adding a suffix (that doesn't start with 'i'). 'Happy' ends in a consonant + y, so when adding '-ly', it becomes 'happily'. 'Playing' keeps the 'y' because the suffix '-ing' starts with 'i'.
Question 5: Which pair of words best illustrates the difference between a closed syllable and an open syllable?
- go / got (Correct answer)
- cat / bat
- see / sea
- table / label
Correct answer: go / got
A closed syllable ends in a consonant, which 'closes in' the vowel and makes it short (e.g., 'got'). An open syllable ends in a vowel, which is 'open' and makes a long sound (e.g., 'go'). This pair directly contrasts the two syllable types.
Question 6: The spelling of the word 'muffin' is an example of which orthographic rule?
- The FLOSS Rule
- The Silent-e Rule
- The Rabbit Rule (Correct answer)
- The 'y' to 'i' Rule
Correct answer: The Rabbit Rule
The 'Rabbit Rule' is a mnemonic for doubling the middle consonant in a two-syllable word. The rule applies when the first syllable has a short vowel and is followed by a single consonant sound. In 'muffin', the short /u/ sound causes the /f/ sound (spelled with 'ff') to be doubled.
Free CALT Orthography and Spelling Rules Questions and Answers 1
Which of the following words correctly applies the FLOSS rule?