Let’s solve this step by step.
We are sorting words into two columns:
→ Words with
silent w
→ Words with
silent b
Remember: A silent letter is a letter that is written in the word but not pronounced when you say the word out loud.
---
First, let’s look at each word and decide which silent letter it has.
List of words to sort:
- lamb
- numb
- comb
- bomb
- write
- wriggle
- wren
- wrap
- climb
- wrong
- wrist
- crumb
- wreck
- sword
- doubt
---
Step 1: Find words with
silent w
These are words where “w” is written but not sounded.
Check each:
-
write → sounds like “rite” → silent w
✔
-
wriggle → sounds like “riggle” → silent w
✔
-
wren → sounds like “ren” → silent w
✔
-
wrap → sounds like “rap” → silent w
✔
-
wrong → sounds like “rong” → silent w
✔
-
wrist → sounds like “rist” → silent w
✔
-
wreck → sounds like “reck” → silent w
✔
That’s 7 words with silent w.
---
Step 2: Find words with
silent b
These are words where “b” is written but not sounded.
Check each:
-
lamb → sounds like “lam” → silent b
✔
-
numb → sounds like “num” → silent b
✔
-
comb → sounds like “com” → silent b
✔
-
bomb → Wait! In “bomb”, we DO pronounce the “b” at the end? Actually, no — in standard English, “bomb” is pronounced /bɒm/ — the final “b” is silent. So yes, silent b
✔
-
climb → sounds like “clime” → silent b
✔
-
crumb → sounds like “crum” → silent b
✔
-
doubt → sounds like “dout” → silent b
✔
Wait — what about “sword”? Let’s check:
-
sword → sounds like “sord” → the “w” is silent! Oh no — I missed that earlier.
So “sword” should be under
silent w, not silent b.
And “bomb” — let’s double-check: Yes, “bomb” ends with a silent “b”. You don’t say “bom-buh” — just “bom”.
Also, “crumb” — yes, silent b.
Now, let’s recheck all:
Silent w:
- write
- wriggle
- wren
- wrap
- wrong
- wrist
- wreck
- sword ← added this one!
That’s 8 words.
Silent b:
- lamb
- numb
- comb
- bomb
- climb
- crumb
- doubt
That’s 7 words.
Total words: 15 — matches our list. Good.
---
Final sorting:
Silent w:
write, wriggle, wren, wrap, wrong, wrist, wreck, sword
Silent b:
lamb, numb, comb, bomb, climb, crumb, doubt
---
Final Answer:
Silent w: write, wriggle, wren, wrap, wrong, wrist, wreck, sword
Silent b: lamb, numb, comb, bomb, climb, crumb, doubt
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of silent k words worksheet.
