Spelling:
- "k" /"ke"- king, lake
- "c" - can, economic
- "ch"/"che" - character, ache
- "ck" - luck, package
- "cc" - account, occasion
- "qu" (usually pronounced /kw/) / "que"- quality, technique
LISTEN
The sound /k/ can be in these consonant clusters:
-
Beginning of a Syllable
| k_initial_clusters.mp3 |
/kr/ ("kr," "cr," "chr")
- krill, cry, Christmas
/kl/ ("kl," "cl") - klutz, clean
/sk/ ("sk," "sc") - skate, scare
/skr/ ("scr") - scream
/kw/ ("qu") - queen, choir
/skw/ ("squ") - square
/kl/ ("kl," "cl") - klutz, clean
/sk/ ("sk," "sc") - skate, scare
/skr/ ("scr") - scream
/kw/ ("qu") - queen, choir
/skw/ ("squ") - square
-
End of a Syllable
| k_final_clusters.mp3 |
/kt/ ("ked" / "ched" / "cked") - baked, ached,
locked
/ks/ ("cs" / "ches" / "ques" / "cks") - specifics, aches, techniques, backs
/sk/ ("sk") - task
/sks/ ("sks") - risks
/skt/ ("sked") - asked
/rk/ - ("rk" / "rc") - dark, arc
/rks/ ("rk" / "rcs") - forks, arcs
/ks/ ("cs" / "ches" / "ques" / "cks") - specifics, aches, techniques, backs
/sk/ ("sk") - task
/sks/ ("sks") - risks
/skt/ ("sked") - asked
/rk/ - ("rk" / "rc") - dark, arc
/rks/ ("rk" / "rcs") - forks, arcs
/rkt/ ("rked") - worked
/lk/("lk") - milk
/lks/ ("lks")- hulks
/lkt/ ("lked") - balked
/ŋk/ ("nk" / "nc") - link, zinc
/ŋks/ ("nks" / "ncs") - links, syncs
/ŋkt/ ("nked") - thanked
/lk/("lk") - milk
/lks/ ("lks")- hulks
/lkt/ ("lked") - balked
/ŋk/ ("nk" / "nc") - link, zinc
/ŋks/ ("nks" / "ncs") - links, syncs
/ŋkt/ ("nked") - thanked
Grammar Tip:
The sound /k/ is used in the common suffix "-ic". This suffix appears in adjectives and usually means "of" or "relating to".
The sound /k/ is also used in the suffix "-ical," which also appears in adjectives and
usually has the same meaning as "-ic." However, "-ic" and "-ical" may mark words with
different meaning. (For example, "economic" and "economical" have different meanings, and
"comic" and "comical" also have different meanings.)
COMPARE
Compare /k/ with /g/:
| compare_k-g_1.mp3 |
/k/.../g/.../k/.../g/.../k/.../g/...
These are both velar stop consonants. However, /k/ is a voiceless consonant while /g/ is a voiced consonant. When you pronounce /k/, your vocal cords should not vibrate.
These are both velar stop consonants. However, /k/ is a voiceless consonant while /g/ is a voiced consonant. When you pronounce /k/, your vocal cords should not vibrate.
You can hear the difference between /k/ and /g/ in these words.
| compare_k-g_words.mp3 |
1. A. could, B. good
2. A. class, B. glass
3. A. back, B. bag
4. A. fix, B. figs
5. A. locker, B. logger
6. A. dankly, B. dangly
2. A. class, B. glass
3. A. back, B. bag
4. A. fix, B. figs
5. A. locker, B. logger
6. A. dankly, B. dangly
Now, compare /k/ and /h/:
| compare_k-h_1.mp3 |
/k/.../h/.../k/.../h/.../k/.../h/...
These are both voiceless consonants pronounced in the back of the mouth. However, /k/ is a velar stop and /h/ is a glottal fricative. The sound /k/ is pronounced with the back of your tongue, while /h/ is pronounced with the glottis, which is behind your tongue.
These are both voiceless consonants pronounced in the back of the mouth. However, /k/ is a velar stop and /h/ is a glottal fricative. The sound /k/ is pronounced with the back of your tongue, while /h/ is pronounced with the glottis, which is behind your tongue.
You can hear the difference between /k/ and /h/ in these words.
| compare_k-h_words.mp3 |
1. A. call, B. hall
2. A. kit, B. hit
3. A. come, B. hum
4. A. cook, B. hook
5. A. keep, B. heap
6. A. racecourse, B. racehorse
2. A. kit, B. hit
3. A. come, B. hum
4. A. cook, B. hook
5. A. keep, B. heap
6. A. racecourse, B. racehorse
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
| words_with_-k-.mp3 |
|
1. kind
2. can 3. cry 4. clean 5. skate 6. screen 7. quote 8. quick 9. squeeze 10. luck |
11. bark
12. milk 13. thanks 14. fix 15. baker 16. falcon 17. boxes 18. tickling 19. background 20. calculus |
Now practice /k/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
| sentences_with_-k-.mp3 |
1. thank - kind - encouragement
Thank you for your kind encouragement.
2. can - park - covered
We can park in a covered garage.
3. exchange ("x" = /ks/) - cards - Christmas
They exchange cards and gifts for Christmas.
4. clean- kitchen - cook
Please clean the kitchen after you cook.
5. stack - boxes ("x" = /ks/) - corner
Stack the boxes in the corner.
6. calculus - textbook ("x" = /ks/) - class
I need a calculus textbook for my class.
Thank you for your kind encouragement.
2. can - park - covered
We can park in a covered garage.
3. exchange ("x" = /ks/) - cards - Christmas
They exchange cards and gifts for Christmas.
4. clean- kitchen - cook
Please clean the kitchen after you cook.
5. stack - boxes ("x" = /ks/) - corner
Stack the boxes in the corner.
6. calculus - textbook ("x" = /ks/) - class
I need a calculus textbook for my class.
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