Hard and Soft G activity - Free Printable

Let's solve this "Hard and Soft G" worksheet step by step.

Objective:

Determine whether the letter G in each word makes a hard or soft sound.

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🔤 Rules for Hard and Soft G:

- Hard G sounds like /g/ (as in "go").
- Usually occurs before a, o, u, or at the beginning of a word.
- Example: *game*, *gum*, *glue* → all have hard g.

- Soft G sounds like /j/ (as in "jump").
- Occurs when G is followed by e, i, or y.
- Example: *gentle*, *gym*, *giant* → soft g.

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Now let’s go through each word:

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✔ 1. angel

- Pronunciation: /ˈæn.dʒəl/
- The g is followed by e → soft g
- ✔ Soft

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✔ 2. game

- Pronunciation: /ɡeɪm/
- G is followed by a → hard g
- ✔ Hard

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✔ 3. danger

- Pronunciation: /ˈdeɪ.n.dʒər/
- The g is followed by e → soft g
- ✔ Soft

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✔ 4. plug

- Pronunciation: /plʌɡ/
- G is at the end, preceded by u → hard g
- ✔ Hard

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✔ 5. gorilla

- Pronunciation: /ɡəˈrɪl.ə/
- G is followed by o → hard g
- ✔ Hard

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✔ 6. engine

- Pronunciation: /ˈen.dʒɪn/
- G is followed by e → soft g
- ✔ Soft

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✔ 7. gift

- Pronunciation: /ɡɪft/
- G is followed by i → soft g
- ✔ Soft

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✔ 8. glass

- Pronunciation: /ɡlæs/
- G is followed by l and a → hard g
- ✔ Hard

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✔ 9. gems

- Pronunciation: /dʒemz/
- G is followed by e → soft g
- ✔ Soft

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✔ 10. gum

- Pronunciation: /ɡʌm/
- G is followed by u → hard g
- ✔ Hard

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✔ 11. cage

- Pronunciation: /keɪdʒ/
- G is followed by e → soft g
- ✔ Soft

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✔ 12. glue

- Pronunciation: /ɡluː/
- G is followed by l and u → hard g
- ✔ Hard

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🟩 Final Answers (with circles to fill):

| Word | Answer |
|----------|--------|
| angel | soft |
| game | hard |
| danger | soft |
| plug | hard |
| gorilla | hard |
| engine | soft |
| gift | soft |
| glass | hard |
| gems | soft |
| gum | hard |
| cage | soft |
| glue | hard |

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✔ Summary:

- Soft G: angel, danger, engine, gift, gems, cage
- Hard G: game, plug, gorilla, glass, gum, glue

> 💡 Tip: When G is followed by e, i, or y, it's usually soft (/j/). Otherwise, it's typically hard (/g/).

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