English - Phonics and Reading
20 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 20 free KS1 SATs practice questions on English - Phonics and Reading, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
English - Phonics and Reading: example questions & answers
20 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
Which word rhymes with 'cat'?
- Arun
- Bbat✓
- Csit
- Ddog
Answer: 'cat' and 'bat' rhyme because they end with the same sound: -at.
Which word rhymes with 'bed'?
- Atop
- Bhat
- Cred✓
- Dsun
Answer: 'bed' and 'red' rhyme because they end with the same sound: -ed.
Which word rhymes with 'dog'?
- Atree
- Bpig
- Clog✓
- Dcat
Answer: 'dog' and 'log' rhyme because they end with the same sound: -og.
Which word rhymes with 'man'?
- Arun
- Bsit
- Ccan✓
- Dtop
Answer: 'man' and 'can' rhyme because they end with the same sound: -an.
Which word rhymes with 'go'?
- Asit
- Byes
- Cno✓
- Drun
Answer: 'go' and 'no' rhyme because they end with the same sound: -o.
What sound does 'ch' make? (as in 'chat')
- A/s/
- B/t/
- C/sh/
- D/ch/✓
Answer: The letters 'ch' together make the /ch/ sound. Examples: chat, chop, church.
What sound does 'sh' make? (as in 'ship')
- A/ch/
- B/h/
- C/sh/✓
- D/s/
Answer: The letters 'sh' together make the /sh/ sound. Examples: ship, shop, shell.
What sound does 'th' make? (as in 'the')
- A/s/
- B/h/
- C/th/✓
- D/t/
Answer: The letters 'th' together make the /th/ sound. Examples: the, that, this.
Which letter is a vowel?
- Ab
- Bc
- Cd
- Da✓
Answer: Vowels are a, e, i, o, u. The letter 'a' is a vowel. The others are consonants.
How many vowel letters (a, e, i, o, u) are in the word 'happy'?
- A1✓
- B2
- C3
- D4
Answer: The vowel letters are a, e, i, o and u. In 'happy' only 'a' is one of them, so there is 1 vowel letter. ('y' can sound like a vowel, but it is not one of the five vowel letters.)
Which word starts with 'st'?
- Aplant
- Bbench
- Csit
- Dstar✓
Answer: 'star' starts with the 'st' blend. St, st, star.
Which word starts with 'bl'?
- Ablack✓
- Bbright
- Cclock
- Dgrass
Answer: 'black' starts with the 'bl' blend. Bl, bl, black.
Which word ends with 'ck'?
- Adrum
- Bstamp
- Cbell
- Dduck✓
Answer: 'duck' ends with the 'ck' sound. Duck, ck, ck.
Which word ends with 'ng'?
- Ahand
- Bring✓
- Cbank
- Dbrush
Answer: 'ring' ends with the 'ng' sound. Ring, ng, ng.
What is the sound 'ph' like? (as in 'photo')
- A/ph/
- B/v/
- C/f/✓
- D/p/ + /h/
Answer: The letters 'ph' together make the /f/ sound. Examples: photo, phone, dolphin.
How many vowels are in the word 'cat'?
- A0
- B3
- C1✓
- D2
Answer: In 'cat', the vowel is 'a'. There is 1 vowel.
Which word ends with 'tion'?
- Agarden
- Bkitchen
- Chappy
- Dstation✓
Answer: 'station' ends with the 'tion' sound. Station, tion, tion.
Which word rhymes with 'sun'?
- Atop
- Bcat
- Crun✓
- Dsit
Answer: 'sun' and 'run' rhyme because they end with the same sound: -un.
What sound does 'qu' make? (as in 'queen')
- A/q/
- B/k/
- C/kw/✓
- D/w/
Answer: The letters 'qu' together make the /kw/ sound. Examples: queen, quick, quiz.
How many vowels are in the word 'apple'?
- A1
- B2✓
- C3
- D4
Answer: In 'apple', the vowels are 'a' and 'e'. There are 2 vowels.