Tricky Words
15 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 15 free Phonics Screening Check practice questions on Tricky Words, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Tricky Words: example questions & answers
15 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Athe✓
- Bdog
- Cmap
- Dcat
Answer: 'The' is a tricky word because the 'e' doesn't make its usual sound. You have to remember how it sounds.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Ato✓
- Bat
- Ctag
- Dtan
Answer: 'To' is a tricky word with an unusual sound. You have to remember it.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Adug
- Bdog
- Cdo✓
- Ddig
Answer: 'Do' is a tricky word. The 'o' doesn't make its usual short sound.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Ait
- Bgo✓
- Cgap
- Dgot
Answer: 'Go' is a tricky word. The 'o' makes an unusual sound.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Asat
- Bshe✓
- Csit
- Dsun
Answer: 'She' is a tricky word with sounds that don't follow the rules you've learned.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Ahot
- Bhat
- Che✓
- Dhut
Answer: 'He' is a tricky word. The 'e' doesn't sound like you'd expect.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Awit
- Bwet
- Cwas✓
- Dwin
Answer: 'Was' is a tricky word because the 'a' sound is unusual.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Aare✓
- Bant
- Carm
- Dart
Answer: 'Are' is a tricky word. The vowel makes a sound you have to remember.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Ayes
- Byam
- Cyou✓
- Dyell
Answer: 'You' is a tricky word because it sounds very different from how it looks.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Acost
- Bcome✓
- Ccups
- Dcamp
Answer: 'Come' is a tricky word because the vowel pattern 'o-e' doesn't follow the split digraph rule.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Asand
- Bsent
- Csack
- Dsaid✓
Answer: 'Said' is a tricky word. The 'ai' doesn't sound like the 'ai' digraph you learned.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Amy✓
- Bam
- Cmay
- Dmud
Answer: My is a tricky word: the 'y' does the job of a vowel and sounds like 'eye'. Am, may and mud can all be sounded out.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Anet
- Bnod
- Cnot
- Dno✓
Answer: 'No' is a tricky word. The 'o' doesn't make its usual short sound.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Aby✓
- Bif
- Cbig
- Dbag
Answer: 'By' is a tricky word. The 'y' acts like a vowel and sounds like 'eye'.
Which is a tricky word you need to remember?
- Aold
- Bon
- Cof✓
- Dor
Answer: 'Of' is a tricky word because it sounds very different from how it looks.