Problem Description:
The task is to fill in the blanks by choosing either
"a" or
"an" before each word. The choice depends on whether the word begins with a consonant sound (use
"a") or a vowel sound (use
"an").
Solution:
1.
a/an apple
- "Apple" begins with a vowel sound (
/æ/).
- Correct answer:
an apple
2.
a/an bat
- "Bat" begins with a consonant sound (
/b/).
- Correct answer:
a bat
3.
a/an candle
- "Candle" begins with a consonant sound (
/k/).
- Correct answer:
a candle
4.
a/an dog
- "Dog" begins with a consonant sound (
/d/).
- Correct answer:
a dog
5.
a/an elephant
- "Elephant" begins with a vowel sound (
/ɪ/).
- Correct answer:
an elephant
6.
a/an fan
- "Fan" begins with a consonant sound (
/f/).
- Correct answer:
a fan
7.
a/an ice cream
- "Ice cream" begins with a consonant sound (
/aɪ/, which is part of the diphthong /aɪ/).
- Correct answer:
an ice cream
8.
a/an orange
- "Orange" begins with a consonant sound (
/ɔː/).
- Correct answer:
an orange
9.
a/an umbrella
- "Umbrella" begins with a vowel sound (
/ʌ/).
- Correct answer:
an umbrella
10.
a/an unicorn
- "Unicorn" begins with a consonant sound (
/j/, as in "yoo-ni-corn").
- Correct answer:
a unicorn
Final Answers:
1.
an apple
2.
a bat
3.
a candle
4.
a dog
5.
an elephant
6.
a fan
7.
an ice cream
8.
an orange
9.
an umbrella
10.
a unicorn
Explanation:
-
"A" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.
-
"An" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.
- The key is to focus on the
sound of the first letter, not just the letter itself. For example, "universe" starts with a vowel sound (
/juː/), so it uses
"an", even though it begins with the letter "u".
Final Answer Box:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{an apple} \\
2. \text{a bat} \\
3. \text{a candle} \\
4. \text{a dog} \\
5. \text{an elephant} \\
6. \text{a fan} \\
7. \text{an ice cream} \\
8. \text{an orange} \\
9. \text{an umbrella} \\
10. \text{a unicorn}
\end{array}
}
\]
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of grammar worksheet grade 2.
