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2.5: The Consonant Sound [k]

Last updated

Jun 15, 2022
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- 2.4: The Consonant Sound [d]
- 2.6: The Consonant Sound [g]

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Overview of the Consonant Sound [k]

You can hear the sound [k] at the beginning and end of kick.

The sound [k] can be spelled a number of different ways, including <c>, <k>, <ck>, <cc>, and <ch>.

Examples

Underline the letter(s) that spell [k] in each word.

look
racket

Review

In the words below, the sound [k] is spelled <c>, <k>, <ck>, <cc>, or <ch>. Underline the letters that spell [k] in each word.

music	books	according	school
could	because	kicker	blackest
ducks	works	caller	account

Sort the words that contain [k] into these five groups. Be careful because one word goes into two groups:

Words in which [k] is spelled ...
<c>	<k>	<ck>	<cc>	<ch>

Five ways to spell [k] are _______, _______, _______, _______, and _______.

Show Answer

music	books	according	school
could	because	kicker	blackest
ducks	works	caller	account

Words in which [k] is spelled ...
<c>	<k>	<ck>	<cc>	<ch>
music	works	ducks	according	school
because	kicker	kicker	account
caller	books	blackest
could

Five ways to spell [k] are <c>, <k>, <ck>, <cc>, and <ch>.

Spelling [k]

The sound [k] is spelled eleven different ways. In spite of all these different spellings of [k], more than nine times out of ten [k] will be spelled either <c>, <k>, or <ck>.

Examples

In kind, the [k] is spelled <k>.

In bucket, the [k] is spelled <ck>.

In choral, the [k] is spelled <ch>.

Review

Underline the letters that you think are spelling [k] in the following words. Then write the letters that spell [k] in the blanks. You should find that [k] is spelled eleven different ways.

Word	[k] =	Word	[k] =
zodiac		acquired
remarkable		khan
equally		saccharine
hockey		bookcase
schemer		trekkie
accommodations

Underline the letters that spell [k] at the beginning of each of the following words.

$\begin{align*} &\text{counterfeit} && \text{kitchen} && \text{crime} && \text{community}\\ &\text{calculate} && \text{critical} && \text{kindly} && \text{climate}\\ &\text{condemn} &&\text{campaign} && \text{congress} && \text{capital}\\ &\text{key} &&\text{clinic} && \text{kettle} && \text{conscience}\end{align*}$

Sort the sixteen words into these two groups.

Words in which [k] is spelled ...
<k>	<c>

Underline the letter that comes right after the <c> or <k> in each of the sixteen words in Item 2 above. Then sort the words into this matrix.

Words in which [k] is spelled ...
	<c>	<k>
Words with an <i> or <e> right after the [k]
Words with no <i> or <e> right after the [k]

In each of these words is the [k] sound at the beginning of the word, in the middle, or at the end? ________
You should have seen that each time a word starts with [k] with an or <e> right after it, the [k] is spelled <k>. Otherwise, [k] at the beginning of a word is spelled <c>. Have you ever seen a word begin with <ck>? ________ If you saw one, like maybe <ckurp>, wouldn't it look odd? ________
At the beginning of a word, [k] is never spelled _____; it is usually spelled _____ or _____. If the [k] has an or an <e> right after it, it is usually spelled _____; otherwise, it is usually spelled _____.

Show Answer

Word	[k] =	Word	[k] =
zodiac	<c>	acquired	<cq>
remarkable	<k>	khan	<kh>
equally	<q>	saccharine	<cch>
hockey	<ck>	bookcase	<kc>
schemer	<ch>	trekkie	<kk>
accommodations	<cc>

$\begin{align*} & \underline{c}ounterfeit && \underline{k}itchen && \underline{c}rime && \underline{c}ommunity \\ & \underline{c}alculate && \underline{c}ritical && \underline{k}indly && \underline{c}limate \\ & \underline{c}ondemn && \underline{c}ampaign && \underline{c}ongress && \underline{c}apital \\ & \underline{k}ey && \underline{c}linic && \underline{k}ettle && \underline{c}onscience \end{align*}$

Words in which [k] is spelled ...
<k>	<c>
key	counterfeit	crime
kitchen	calculate	congress
kindly	condemn	community
kettle	critical	climate
	campaign	capital
	clinic	conscience

Words in which [k] is spelled ...
	<c>	<k>
Words with an <i> or <e> right after the [k]		key kitchen kindly kettle
Words with no <i> or <e> right after the [k]	counterfeit calculate condemn critical campaign clinic crime congress community climate capital conscience

In each of these words is there a [k] sound at the beginning of the word, in the middle, or at the end? At the beginning
You should have seen that each time a word starts with [k] with an or <e> right after it, the [k] is spelled <k>. Otherwise, [k] at the beginning of a word is spelled <c>. Have you ever seen a word begin with <ck>? No. If you saw one, like maybe <ckurp>, wouldn't it look odd? Yes.
At the beginning of a word, [k] is never spelled <ck>; it is usually spelled <c> or <k>. If the [k] has an or an <e> right after it, it is usually spelled <k>; otherwise, it is usually spelled <c>.

Spelling [k] at the End of Words

At the end of a word, [k] will usually be spelled <k> if it has a long vowel or consonant sound or a short vowel sound spelled with a digraph right in front of it; but it will usually be spelled <ck> or <c> if it has a short vowel sound spelled with a single letter right in front of it.

Examples

Underline the letter(s) that spell [k] in the following words.

truck stock make bark embark

Review

All of the following words end in the sound [k]. Underline the letter(s) that spell the final [k] in each word. Note that final <e>s are not part of the spelling of [k].
$\begin{align*} &\text{remark} && \text{economic} && \text{break} && \text{seismic}\\ &\text{wreck} && \text{shriek} && \text{o'clock} && \text{speck}\\ &\text{mistake} &&\text{scientific} && \text{brook} && \text{hawk}\\ &\text{struck} &&\text{knock} && \text{rebuke} && \text{provoke}\\ &\text{unmask} &&\text{overlook} && \text{earthquake} && \text{shark}\end{align*}$

Sort the twenty words into these three groups:

Words in which the final [k] is spelled ...
<c>	<ck>	<k>

Now sort the twenty words into these two groups:

Words with a consonant sound right in front of the final [k]	Words with a vowel sound right in front of the final [k]

Now sort into this matrix the seventeen words from Item 3 with a vowel sound in front of the final [k].
Note: Here are some words with short vowel sounds: bat, bet, bit, bought, book, but. And here are some with long vowel sounds: bait, beet, bite, boat, boot, beaut.

Words in which the final [k] is spelled ...
	<c> or <ck>	<k>
Words with a short vowel sound spelled with a single letter in front of the [k]
Words with a short vowel sound spelled with a digraph in front of the [k]
Words with a long vowel sound in front of the [k]

How is the final [k] spelled in the three words that have a consonant sound in front of it? ______ How is it spelled in the five words that have a long vowel in front of it? ________ How is it spelled in the three words that have a short vowel spelled with a digraph right in front of it? ________

Show Answer

$\begin{align*} & remar\underline{k} && economi\underline{k} && brea\underline{k} && seismi\underline{k} \\ & wre\underline{ck} && shrie\underline{k} && o'clo\underline{ck} && spe\underline{ck} \\ & mista\underline{k}e && scientifi\underline{k} && broo\underline{k} && haw\underline{k} \\ & stru\underline{ck} && kno\underline{ck} && rebu\underline{k}e && provo\underline{k}e \\ & unmas\underline{k} && overloo\underline{k} && earthqua\underline{k}e && shar\underline{k} \end{align*}$

Words in which the final [k] is spelled ...
<c>	<ck>	<k>
economic	wreck	remark	break
seismic	o'clock	shriek	mistake
scientific	speck	brook	hawk
	struck	rebuke	provoke
	knock	unmask	overlook
		earthquake	shark

Words with a consonant sound right in front of the final [k]	Words with a vowel sound right in front of the final [k]
remark	economic	seismic
unmask	scientific	wreck
shark	o'clock	speck
	struck	knock
	shriek	brook
	rebuke	earthquake
	break	mistake
	hawk	provoke
	overlook

Words in which the final [k] is spelled ...
	<c> or <ck>	<k>
Words with a short vowel sound spelled with a single letter in front of the [k]	wreck struck economic scientific knock o’clock seismic speck
Words with a short vowel sound spelled with a digraph in front of the [k]		overlook brook hawk
Words with a long vowel sound in front of the [k]		mistake shriek rebuke break earthquake provoke

How is the final [k] spelled in the three words that have a consonant sound in front of it? <k> How is it spelled in the five words that have a long vowel in front of it? <k> How is it spelled in the three words that have a short vowel spelled with a digraph right in front of it? <k>.

Words That End in <c> and <ck>

If a word ends in [k] with a short vowel sound in front of it, the [k] will usually be spelled either <ck> or <c>. If the word has only one vowel sound, the [k] will usually be spelled <ck>. If the word has more than one vowel sound, the [k] will usually be spelled <c>.

Examples

Below are some words that end with the sound [k] spelled <ck>:

tick clock wreck quick

The following words spelled [k] with <c> at the end:

music patriotic traffic athletic

Review

Underline the letters that spell the final [k] in each of them. Don't worry yet about the columns labeled ‘Sounds’:

Word	Word	Word	Word
poetic	wreck	specific	speck
struck	athletic	elastic	enthusiastic
scientific	quick	zodiac	check
knock	sick	economic	sympathetic
traffic	seismic	schlock	patriotic

Now pronounce each word carefully. Listen for the number of vowel sounds in each word. In the ‘Sounds’ columns write that number. Eight of the words have one vowel sound. Two have two vowel sounds. Five have three vowel sounds. Four have four vowel sounds, and one has five.

Now sort the twenty words into this matrix:

	<c>	<ck>
Words with only one vowel sound
Words with more than one vowel sound

The following words all contain two vowel sounds but still end in <ck>. Be ready to discuss why they can be analyzed to show that they actually do not contradict the conclusion that in words with only vowel sound final [k] will usually be spelled <ck>:

Word	Analysis
horseback
aftershock
o'clock
airsick
thunderstruck
yardstick

Show Answer

1. and 2.

Word	Sounds	Word	Sounds	Word	Sounds	Word	Sounds
poetic	3	wreck	1	specific	3	speck	1
struck	1	athletic	3	elastic	3	enthusiastic	5
scientific	4	quick	1	zodiac	3	check	1
knock	1	sick	1	economic	4	sympathetic	4
traffic	2	seismic	2	schlock	1	patriotic	4

Words with the final [k] spelled ...
	<c>	<ck>
Words with only one vowel sound		struck knock wreck quick sick chlock speck check
Words with more than one vowel sound	poetic scientific traffic athletic reissue specific elastic zodiac economic enthusiastic sympathetic patriotic

Word	Analysis
horseback	horse + back
aftershock	after + shock
o’clock	o’ + clock
airsick	air + sick
thunderstruck	thunder + struck
yardstick	yard + stick

Spelling [k] in the Middle of Words

Often when a [k] is in the middle of a word, it is actually at the beginning or the end of a shorter word, or free stem, inside the longer one.

For instance, there is a [k] in the middle of recall. But recall actually is made up of the prefix re- and the free stem call: recall = re + call. The [k] in call behaves just the way it is supposed to when it is at the front of a word: It is spelled <c> rather than <k> because it does not have an <e> or after it, and it is not spelled <ck> because words don't start with <ck>.

The word darkroom has a [k] in the middle. But darkroom is a compound that analyzes to the two free stems dark and room: darkroom = dark + room. So the [k] in darkroom is really at the end of the free stem dark - and it behaves just as it is supposed to: It is spelled <k> rather than <c> or <ck> because of the consonant in front of it.

In a very few words there is a <ck> spelling that occurs when a free stem that ends in <c> has a suffix added to it that starts with <e>, , or <y>: A <k> is inserted after the <c>: For instance, panic + ed = panic + k + ed = panicked. The <k> is inserted to avoid having the <c> look as if it should be pronounced as a soft <c>, [s] before the <e>, , or <y>, as it would if we wrote *paniced.

Examples

The following words contain a [k] in the middle of an element.

$\begin{align*} &\text{contractor} && \text{subjects} && \text{hockey} && \text{sacrifice}\\ &\text{picnics} && \text{perfectly} && \text{collects} && \text{function}\\ &\text{instruction} &&\text{ankle} && \text{affectionate} && \text{picture}\\ &\text{infection} &&\text{describe} && \text{pickle} && \text{electrician}\\ &\text{restriction} &&\text{spectacle} && \text{crocodile} && \text{intellectual}\\ &\text{transcription} &&\text{production} && \text{introduction} && \text{instinctive}\\ &\text{chuckle} &&\text{skirts} && \text{donkey} && \text{wrinkles}\\ &\text{sketches} &&\text{skyscraper} && \text{skies} && \text{tackle}\end{align*}$

Review

All of the following words have a [k] somewhere in the middle. Each of the words actually contains a free stem that has the [k] either at the beginning or the end.
First, underline the letter(s) that spell [k].
Second, analyze each word enough to show the free stem that begins or ends with [k].
Third, be ready to talk about why the [k] is spelled the way it is in the free stems.

Word	Analysis
checkout
unconscious
unkindly
remarkable
inconsistent
unenthusiastically
trickiest
passkey
breakfast
musicality
encourage
trickster
sickeningly
wreckage
mistakenly
jackknife
bookcase
schlockiest
backcast
unluckily

Here are some words that involve <k> insertion. Analyze each one to show how the the <k> was inserted.

Word	Analysis: Free stem + suffix
panicked	panic + k + ed
panicky
picnicking
trafficker
bivouacked

Show Answer

Word	Analysis
checkout	check + out
unconscious	un + conscious
unkindly	un + kind + ly
remarkable	remark + able
inconsistent	in + consist + ent
unenthusiastically	unenthusiastic + al + ly
trickiest	trick + y + i + est
passkey	pass + key
breakfast	break + fast
musicality	music + al + ity
encourage	en + courage
trickster	trick + ster
sickeningly	sick + en + ing + ly
wreckage	wreck + age
mistakenly	mistake + en + ly
jackknife	jack + knife
bookcase	book + case
schlockiest	schlock + y + i + est
backcast	back + cast
unluckily	un + luck + y + i + ly

Word	Analysis: Free stem + suffix
panicked	panic + k + ed
panicky	panic + k + y
picnicking	picnic + k + ing
trafficker	traffic + k + er
bivouacked	bivouac + k + ed

The Sound [k] before <le>

When the sound [k] is followed by the letters <le>, it can be spelled <k>, <c>, or <ck>.

If the [k] sound follows a consonant, it is spelled <k>. If it follows a vowel, it is spelled <c> or <ck> depending on whether the vowel is short or long and whether it is stressed.

Examples

Does a <k>, <ck>, or <c> come before the <le> in each word? What comes before the [k] sound - a consonant or vowel?

ankle - <k> - consonant
article - <c> - vowel
tackle - <ck> - vowel
For the two words that involve a vowel right before the [k] sound, which one is a stressed short vowel? - tackle

Review

Here are some words that have [k] right in front of an <le> that comes at the end of the word. Sometimes the [k] is spelled <k>, sometimes <ck>, sometimes <c>. Sort the words into the two groups described below. The three example words have already been done.

$\begin{align*} &\text{wrinkle} && \text{ankle} && \text{sparkle} && \text{trickle} && \text{tackle}\\ &\text{spectacle} && \text{tickle} && \text{barnacle} && \text{miracle} && \text{obstacle}\\ &\text{particle} &&\text{cycle} && \text{chronicle} && \text{twinkle} && \text{vehicle}\\ &\text{icicle} &&\text{chuckle} && \text{freckle} && \text{article} && \text{bicycle}\\ &\text{pickle} &&\text{heckle} && \text{shackle} && \text{receptacle} && \text{oracle}\end{align*}$

Words in which the [k] follows a ...
Vowel			Consonant
		article
			ankle
		tackle

In words in which [k] follows a consonant and is in turn followed by an <le> that comes at the end of the word, the [k] is spelled ___.
Read aloud each of the words in the table above in which the [k] follows a vowel. In each word mark the vowel that has strong stress on it, like this: wrínkle and spéctacle. The vowel with strong stress will not always be the vowel right in front of the [k]. If you get confused, don't be afraid to ask for help or to look words up in your dictionary.

Now sort the words you just marked into these two groups.

Words in which the vowel right in front of the [k]
has strong stress		does not have strong stress

In words that have a [k] right in front of an <le> that comes at the end of the word and a vowel that does not have strong stress right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled ___.

Now read over your list of words with a vowel with strong stress right in front of the [k]. Sort the words into these two groups.

Words in which the vowel right in front of the [k] is ...
short			long

In words that have a [k] right in front of an <le> that comes at the end of the word and a vowel with strong stress right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled ___ if the vowel is short, and it is spelled ___ if the vowel is long.
In words that have a [k] right in front of an <le> that comes at the end of the word:
(i) If there is a stressed short vowel right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled ___;
(ii) If there is a weak vowel or a strong long vowel right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled ___; and
(iii) If there is a consonant right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled ___.

Show Answer

Words in which the [k] follows a ...
Vowel			Consonant
spectacle	heckle	article	wrinkle
particle	barnacle	receptacle	ankle
icicle	chronicle	tackle	sparkle
pickle	freckle	obstacle	twinkle
tickle	shackle	vehicle
cycle	trickle	bicycle
chuckle	miracle	oracle

In words in which [k] follows a consonant and is in turn followed by an <le> that comes at the end of the word, the [k] is spelled <k>.
Read aloud each of the words in which the [k] follows a vowel. In each word mark the vowel that has strong stress on it, like this: wrínkle and spéctacle. The vowel with strong stress will not always be the vowel right in front of the [k]. If you get confused, don't be afraid to ask for help or to look words up in your dictionary. (See table in question 1 for answers.)

Now sort the words you just marked into these two groups.

Words in which the vowel right in front of the [k]
has strong stress		does not have strong stress
pickle	shackle	spectacle	vehicle
cycle	tackle	particle	barnacle
heckle	freckle	article	bicycle
tickle		icicle	miracle
chuckle		obstacle	receptacle
trickle		chronicle	oracle

In words that have a [k] right in front of an <le> that comes at the end of the word and a vowel that does not have strong stress right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled <c>.

Now read over your list of words with a vowel with strong stress right in front of the [k]. Sort the words into these two groups.

Words in which the vowel right in front of the [k] is ...
short			long
pickle	chuckle	tackle	cycle
heckle	trickle	freckle
tickle	shackle

In words that have a [k] right in front of an <le> that comes at the end of the word and a vowel with strong stress right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled <ck> if the vowel is short, and it is spelled <c> if the vowel is long.
In words that have a [k] right in front of an <le> that comes at the end of the word:
(i) If there is a stressed short vowel right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled <ck>;
(ii) If there is a weak vowel or a strong long vowel right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled <c>; and
(iii) If there is a consonant right in front of the [k], the [k] is spelled <k>.

The Combinations [ks] and [kw]

Four ways of spelling [ks] are <ks>, <x>, <cks>, and <cs>.

The combination [kw] is normally spelled <qu>.

Examples

You can hear the combination [kw] at the beginning of queen.

You can hear the combination [ks] at the end of fix.

Review

Underline the letters that spell [ks] or [kw]. In words like likes the <e> is not helping spell the [ks]. It is marking the long vowel, so you should just underline the <k> and <s>: likes.
$\begin{align*} &\text{expense} && \text{squeaks} && \text{jokes} && \text{tricks}\\ &\text{blinks} && \text{mixed} && \text{remarks} && \text{required}\\ &\text{quizzed} &&\text{parks} && \text{exercise} && \text{fox}\\ &\text{locks} &&\text{mechanics} && \text{quits} && \text{attacks}\\ &\text{relax} &&\text{taxes} && \text{mistakes} && \text{weeks}\end{align*}$

Sort the words into these two groups. Be careful: One word goes into both groups.

Words that Contain [ks]:		Words that Contain [kw]:

In seven words [ks] is spelled ______
In six words [ks] is spelled ______
In three words [ks] is spelled ______
In one word [ks] is spelled ______

Sort the words that contain [ks] into these four groups:

Words with [ks] spelled ...
<ks>	<x>	<cks>	<cs>

Four ways of spelling [ks] are ______, ______, ______, and ______.
In all the words that contain [kw], how is the [kw] spelled? ______. That is the way we spell [kw] just about all the time!
The combination [kw] is normally spelled ______.

Show Answer

$\begin{align*} & e\underline{\underline{x}}pense && s\underline{q}uea\underline{k}s && jo\underline{k}es && tri\underline{cks} \\ & blin\underline{ks} && mi\underline{x}ed && remar\underline{ks} && re\underline{qu}ired \\ & \underline{qu}izzed && par\underline{ks} && e\underline{x}ercise && fo\underline{x} \\ & lo\underline{cks} && mechani\underline{cs} && \underline{qu}its && atta\underline{cks} \\ & rela\underline{x} && ta\underline{x}es && mista\underline{k}es && wee\underline{ks} \end{align*}$

Words that Contain [ks]:		Words that Contain [kw]:
expense	jokes	quizzed
blinks	remarks	squeaks
locks	exercise	quits
relax	mistakes	require
squeaks	tricks
mixed	fox
parks	attacks
mechanics	weeks
taxes

In seven words [ks] is spelled <ks>
In six words [ks] is spelled <x>
In three words [ks] is spelled <cks>
In one word [ks] is spelled <cs>

Words with [ks] spelled ...
<ks>	<x>	<cks>	<cs>
blinks	expense	locks	mechanics
squeaks	relax	tricks
parks	mixed	attacks
jokes	taxes
remarks	exercise
mistakes	fox
weeks

Four ways of spelling [ks] are <ks>, <x>, <cks>, and <cs>.
In all the words that contain [kw], how is the [kw] spelled? <qu>. That is the way we spell [kw] just about all the time!
The combination [kw] is normally spelled <qu>.

Some Prefixes That Make <cc>

When they are added to stems that start with <c>, the three prefixes ad-, sub-, and ob- assimilate to ac-, suc-, and oc-, making a <cc> toward the front of the word. Sometimes the <cc> spells the sound [k]; sometimes it spells [ks].

Examples

The words below are analyzed to show where the two <c>s come from.

Word	Prefix + Stem
accelerate	a + c + celerate
occasionally	o + c + casionally
successful	su + c + cessful

Review

All of the following words contain one of these prefixes. Analyze each word into the prefix and stem and show where the two <c>s come from.

Word	Prefix + Stem
1. accelerate	a + c + celerate
2. according
3. account
4. occasionally
5. successful
6. occurrence
7. occupy
8. accident
9. accurate
10. access
11. occupation
12. accompany
13. accommodate
14. succinctly
15. accuse
16. accumulate

17. Sort the words into these two groups.

Words in which the <cc> spells ...
[k]		[ks]

18. Look carefully at the letter that comes right after the <cc> in each of the words. Then sort the words into this matrix.

Words in which the <cc> spells ...
	[k]	[ks]
Words that have <e> or <i> following the <cc>
Words that do not have <e> or <i> following the <cc>

Show Answer

Word	Prefix + Stem
1. accelerate	a + c + celerate
2. according	a + c + cord
3. account	a + c + count
4. occasionally	o + c + casionally
5. successful	su + c + cessful
6. occurrence	o + c + currence
7. occupy	o + c + cupy
8. accident	a + c + cident
9. accurate	a + c + curate
10. access	a + c + cess
11. occupation	o + c + cupation
12. accompany	a + c + company
13. accommodate	a + c + commodate
14. succinctly	su + c + cinctly
15. accuse	a + c + cuse
16. accumulate	a + c + cumulate

17. Sort the words into these two groups.

Words in which the <cc> spells ...
[k]		[ks]
according	occupation	accelerate
account	accompany	successful
occasionally	accommodate	accident
occurrence	accuse	access
occupy	accumulate	succinctly
accurate

18. Look carefully at the letter that comes right after the <cc> in each of the words. Then sort the words into this matrix.

Words in which the <cc> spells ...
	[k]	[ks]
Words that have <e> or <i> following the <cc>		accelerate successful accident access succinctly
Words that do not have <e> or <i> following the <cc>	according account occasionally occurrence occupy accurate occupation accompany accommodate accuse accumulate

Explore More

Sometimes <cc> spells [k] and sometimes it spells [ks]. All of the following words contain the sound [ks], spelled different ways.

Underline the letters that spell the [ks] in each of these words.
$\begin{align*}&\text{exclusive} && \text{exclamation} && \text{experience}\\ &\text{hawks} && \text{complexity} && \text{sharks}\\ &\text{picnics} && \text{explode} && \text{extraordinary}\\ &\text{extend} && \text{shrieks} && \text{knocks}\\ &\text{wrecks} && \text{economics} && \text{medics}\end{align*}$

Sort the fifteen words above into these groups.

Words in which [ks] is spelled ...
<cs>	<cks>	<ks>	<x>

Show Answer

$\begin{align*}& e\underline{x}clusive && e\underline{x}clamation && e\underline{x}perience\\ & haw\underline{ks} && comple\underline{x}ity && shar\underline{ks} \\ & picni\underline{cs} && e\underline{x}plode && e\underline{x}traordinary \\ & e\underline{x}tend && shrie\underline{ks} && kno\underline{cks} \\ & wre\underline{cks} && economi\underline{cs} && medi\underline{cs}\end{align*}$

Words in which [ks] is spelled ...
<cs>	<cks>	<ks>	<x>
picnics	knocks	hawks	exclusive
economics	wrecks	shrieks	extend
medics		sharks	exclamation
			complexity
			explode
			experience
			extraordinary

[k] Spelled <q> or <qu>

In a few words the letter <q> is used in the spelling of the sound [k]. The letter <q> almost always is followed by the letter . Sometimes the spells the sound [w] so that the <qu> spells [kw]. Sometimes the <qu> spells just [k].

Whether it's spelling [kw] or [k], <qu> nearly always comes at the very beginning or the very end of the element it is in.

Examples

In the word unique, <qu> spells [k].

In the word equipment, <qu> spells [kw].

Review

Read the following words, paying special attention to whether the <qu> in each spells [kw] or just [k]. Next, sort the words into the two groups below.

$\begin{align*} &\text{antique} && \text{conquest} && \text{consequently} && \text{mosquito} && \text{requirement}\\ &\text{earthquake} && \text{equality} && \text{equipment} && \text{squadron} && \text{square}\\ &\text{equivalent} && \text{physique} && \text{exquisite} && \text{frequently} && \text{squirrel}\\ &\text{liquor} && \text{liquid} && \text{unique} && \text{request} && \text{squeak}\\ &\text{quantity} && \text{quarrel} && \text{question} && \text{technique} && \text{subsequently}\\ &\text{quickly} && \text{picturesque} && \text{quietly} && \text{quotation} && \text{squeeze}\end{align*}$

Words in which <qu> spells ...
[kw]			[k]

In words in which <qu> spells [kw], the spells [w], so [k] is spelled _______. But in words in which the does not spell [w], [k] is spelled ________.

In the thirty words above, there are eleven in which the [k] spelled either <q> or <qu> is the first or the last sound in the word. When it comes at the end, it has a silent final <e> insulating the . Find the eleven words and copy them into the table below.

Words in which the [k] spelled <q> or <qu> is the ...
first sound in the word		last sound in the word

When the [k] is not the first or last sound of the word it is in, it nearly always is the first or last sound of the element it is in. For instance, earthquake is earth + quake, with the [k] spelled <q> as the first sound in the free stem quake. Analyze each of the following words. Show any assimilation where a letter changed when elements were added together.

Word	Formula	Analysis
earthquake	Free stem + free stem	earth + quake
conquest	Prefix + free base
exquisite	Prefix + bound stem
requirement	Prefix + bound base + suffix
request	Prefix + free base
liquor	Bound base + suffix -or
liquid	Bound base + suffix
equality	Bound base + suffix + suffix
subsequently	Prefix + bound base + suffix -ent + suffix²
consequently	Prefix + bound base + suffix¹ + suffix²
turquoise	Bound base + suffix -oise
bouquet	Bound base + suffix -et
mosquito	Bound base + suffix -ito
frequently	Bound base + suffix¹ + suffix²

In five of the thirty words in Item 1 in which [k] is spelled <q>, the <qu> is part of the cluster <squ>. Those five words are
_______, _______, _______, _______, and _______.
Where does the <squ> cluster come in these five words? _______
The <q> or <qu> that spell [k] are nearly always at the very _______ or _______ of the element in which they occur.

Show Answer

Words in which <qu> spells ...
[kw]			[k]
earthquake	consequently	quotation	antique
equivalent	equipment	requirement	liquor
quantity	exquisite	square	physique
quickly	question	squirrel	picturesque
conquest	quietly	squeak	unique
equality	squadron	subsequently	mosquito
liquid	frequently	squeeze	turquoise
quarrel	request

In words in which <qu> spells [kw], the spells [w], so [k] is spelled <q>. But in words in which the does not spell [w], [k] is spelled <qu>.

Whether it’s spelling [kw] or [k], <qu> nearly always comes at the very beginning or the very end of the element it is in.

Words in which the [k] spelled <q> or <qu> is the ...
first sound in the word		last sound in the word
quantity	question	antique	unique
quickly	quietly	physique	technique
quarrel	quotation	picturesque

Word	Formula	Analysis
earthquake	Free stem + free stem	earth + quake
conquest	Prefix + free base	com + n + quest
exquisite	Prefix + bound stem	ex + quisite
requirement	Prefix + bound base + suffix	re + quire + ment
request	Prefix + free base	re + quest
liquor	Bound base + suffix -or	liqu + or
liquid	Bound base + suffix	liqui + id
equality	Bound base + suffix + suffix	equ + al + ity
subsequently	Prefix + bound base + suffix -ent + suffix²	sub + sequ + ent + ly
consequently	Prefix + bound base + suffix¹ + suffix²	com + n + sequ + ent + ly
turquoise	Bound base + suffix -oise	turqu + oise
bouquet	Bound base + suffix -et	bouqu + et
mosquito	Bound base + suffix -ito	mosqu + ito
frequently	Bound base + suffix¹ + suffix²	frequ + ent + ly

In five of the thirty words in Item 1 in which [k] is spelled <q>, the <qu> is part of the cluster <squ>. Those five words are:
$\begin{align*}& squadron && square && squirrel && squeak && squeeze\end{align*}$
Where does the <squ> cluster come in these five words? At the front
The <q> or <qu> that spell [k] are nearly always at the very front or end of the element in which they occur.

[k] Spelled <ch> or <lk>

Most of the words in English that contain the sound [k] spelled <ch> come from old Greek words with chi.

We borrowed the letters of our alphabet from the Romans. The Romans had borrowed their alphabet from a group of people called the Etruscans, who had borrowed theirs from the Greeks. One of the Greeks' letters looked like our <X>. It was called chi, pronounced [kī], and it spelled the sound [k]. When we borrowed Greek words that contained chi, we changed the spelling from <x> to <ch>, still pronounced [k] - as in words like chorus, school, and Christmas.

There is one other spelling of [k] that is worth a special look. In a few words [k] is spelled <lk> - as in chalk. A long time ago the <l> was pronounced, but no longer.

Examples

The following words contain a <ch> spelling of [k].

school anchor christmas

The following words contain an <lk> spelling of [k] where the <l> is no longer pronounced.

talk walk stalk

Review

Underline the <ch> spellings of [k] in each of the following words.
$\begin{align*} &\text{orchestra} && \text{school} && \text{architect} && \text{psychiatrist}\\ &\text{chorus} && \text{chaos} && \text{echo} && \text{scholar}\\ &\text{chronicle} && \text{mechanic} && \text{character} && \text{orchid}\\ &\text{ache} && \text{schedule} && \text{scheme} && \text{chord}\\ &\text{psychology} &&\text{chemical} && \text{anchor} && \text{christmas}\\ &\text{monarch} &&\text{stomach} && \text{technical} && \text{chlorophyll}\end{align*}$

Sort the words into the three groups described below.

Words in which [k] is spelled <ch> ...
at the front	in the middle		at the end
chorus	orchestra	scheme	ache
chronicle	psychology	anchor	monarch
chaos	school	technical	stomach
chemical	mechanic	psychiatrist
character	schedule	scholar
chord	architect	orchid
Christmas	echo
chlorophyll

All of the following words contain an <l> that is usually no longer pronounced. Six of them end in the sound [k] spelled <lk>. Sort the sixteen words into the four groups described below.

$\begin{align*} &\text{salmon} && \text{talk} && \text{stalk} && \text{halve}\\ &\text{walk} && \text{yolk} && \text{palm} && \text{chalk}\\ &\text{folk} &&\text{halfway} && \text{psalm} && \text{calves}\\ &\text{calf} &&\text{calm} && \text{salve} && \text{behalf}\end{align*}$

Words that end ...
<lk>	<lf>	<lm>	<lve>
walk	calf	salmon	salve
folk	halfway	calm	halve
talk	behalf	palm	calves
yolk		psalm
stalk
chalk

In the words in which [k] is spelled <lk>, what letter usually is right in front of the <l>? ______. In words in which [k] is spelled <lk>, what other letter sometimes is right in front of the <l>? ______. In words that end <alk>, which does the <a> spell: [a] or [o]? ______. In words that end <olk>, which does the <o> spell: [o] or [ō]? ______.

Show Answer

$\begin{align*} & or\underline{ch}estra && s\underline{ch}ool && ar\underline{ch}itect && psy\underline{ch}iatrist \\ & \underline{ch}orus && \underline{ch}aos && e\underline{ch}o && s\underline{ch}olar \\ & \underline{ch}ronicle && me\underline{ch}anic && \underline{ch}aracter && or\underline{ch}id \\ & a\underline{ch}e && s\underline{ch}edule && s\underline{ch}eme && \underline{ch}ord \\ & psy\underline{ch}ology && \underline{ch}emical && an\underline{ch}or && \underline{ch}ristmas \\ & monar\underline{ch} && stoma\underline{ch} && te\underline{ch}nical && \underline{ch}lorophyll \end{align*}$

Words in which [k] is spelled <ch> ...
at the front	in the middle		at the end
chorus	orchestra	scheme	ache
chronicle	psychology	anchor	monarch
chaos	school	technical	stomach
chemical	mechanic	psychiatrist
character	schedule	scholar
chord	architect	orchid
Christmas	echo
chlorophyll

Words that end ...
<lk>	<lf>	<lm>	<lve>
walk	calf	salmon	salve
folk	halfway	calm	halve
talk	behalf	palm	calves
yolk		psalm
stalk
chalk

In the words in which [k] is spelled <lk>, what letter usually is right in front of the <l>? <a>. In words in which [k] is spelled <lk>, what other letter sometimes is right in front of the <l>? <o>. In words that end <alk>, which does the <a> spell: [a] or [o]? [o]. In words that end <olk>, which does the <o> spell: [o] or [ō]? [ō].

Overview of the Consonant Sound [k]

Examples

Review

Spelling [k]

Examples

Review

Spelling [k] at the End of Words

Examples

Review

Words That End in <c> and <ck>

Examples

Review

Spelling [k] in the Middle of Words

Examples

Review

The Sound [k] before <le>

Examples

Review

The Combinations [ks] and [kw]

Examples

Review

Some Prefixes That Make <cc>

Examples

Review

Explore More

[k] Spelled <q> or <qu>

Examples

Review

[k] Spelled <ch> or <lk>

Examples

Review

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