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Unit 20: The soft c sound: ce ci cy words

Page 7 of 13

Unit 20: Soft c: ce, ci and cy words

Unit StartPage 1: Introduction. Word endings: -ce -nce -rce -iceCourse Test: Introduction. Word endings: -ce -nce -rce -icePage 3: Introduction. Word endings: -ce -nce -rce -icePage 4: ce ci and cy wordsCourse Test: Spelling test: anagrams for ce ci cy wordsPage 6: Spelling test: anagrams for ce ci cy wordsPage 7: Tricky words: cc exc scCourse Test: Spelling test: cc exc scPage 9: Spelling test: cc exc scCourse Test: Adding suffixes to -ce endings. Spelling testPage 11: Adding suffixes to -ce endings. Spelling testPage 12: HomophonesPage 13: Differences in British and American spellingUnit End

Page 7 of 13

Spelling ce, ci and cy words - the soft c sound

difficult words, learn not to make mistakes Many people make mistakes with these words:

The acc words:
These words need the letter c twice -
first to say /k/ and then to say /s/.
accelerate Good drivers accelerate carefully.
accent A Scottish accent is different to an Irish one.
accept We're pleased to accept your invitation.
access A ramp was built to give wheelchair access.
accessory She wore a blue dress with matching accessories.
accident A broken ladder caused the accident.
vaccinate They have been vaccinated against measles.
Learning tip to help your spelling As you write each word, say it out loud in separate syllables so that you can hear the /k/ and /s/ sounds very clearly.

The succ words:
These words need the letter c twice -
first to say /k/ and then to say /s/.
succeed I will succeed and win the gold medal.
success She was a great success as a rock singer.
successive It snowed on five successive days.
successor His eldest son will be his successor as king.
succinct Your report was clear and succinct.
Learning tip to help your spelling As you write each word, say it out loud in separate syllables so that you can hear the /k/ and /s/ sounds very clearly.
Learn the Words
Learn the Words: acc and succ words
The exc words:
Even though x ends with the /s/ sound, you still need c in these words.
exceed You will be fined if you exceed the speed limit
excel Kate excels at gymnastics.
excellent My old TV still gives an excellent picture.
except I love all vegetables except broccoli.
excerpt He read an excerpt from his new book.
excess There was an excess of noise.
Learn the Words
Learn the Words: exc words
The sc words:
These words use both s and c to say /s/.
scene* The picture showed a peaceful country scene.
scent* The hounds followed the scent of the fox.
science Rocket science enabled space travel.
scimitar Arab warriors of old fought with scimitars.
scissors Good scissors need to be kept sharp.
ascend/ascent To ascend is to go up.
descend/descent To descend is to go down
crescent The moon was in the shape of a crescent.
fascinate Our baby is fascinated by that toy.
Learning tip to help your spelling Use a 'spelling language' to remember these words: as you write them pronounce the c as /k/.
Learn the Words
Learn the Words: sc words
There are several other examples of words that fit in each of the sets above. How many more words can you think of for each?

acce-, succe-, exce, sce- or sci-.

Using a dictionary, can you make your list of words any longer?

You have not completed Learn the Words activities for each word list on this page.

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