Spell Check: Sentences for dictation

These lists can be used as either:
•	a placement exercise to determine where to commence the teaching programme
•	an assessment exercise to determine retention and revision of the programme taught to date.

It is recommended that the assessments are kept short and frequent. These assume 15 words representing the teaching points and conventions of approximately 5 weeks teaching.
Read each sentence aloud stressing the word to be spelt in context. Then repeat the word on its own.

Stage 4	Word List 4:1	
1. We get our food from the local supermarket.	supermarket	
2. I went deep in the ocean in a submarine.	submarine	
3. It is rude to interrupt someone who’s speaking.	interrupt	
Stage 4	Word List 4:2	
4. I used an antiseptic wipe on my cut.	antiseptic	
5. I like to read nonfiction books.	nonfiction	
6. My favourite band signed my autograph book.	autograph	
Stage 4	Word List 4:3	
7. We had to preheat the oven.	preheat	
8. I had to deflate the balloons after the party.	deflate	
9. We recycle cardboard, paper and glass.	recycle	
Stage 4	Word List 4:4	
10. The burnt food was inedible.	inedible	
11. I am too impatient to wait.	impatient	
12. My brother is younger than me so is more immature.	immature	
Stage 4	Word List 4:5	
13. I like finishing my work before the rest of the class.	finishing	
14. I don’t like admitting that I’m wrong.	admitting	
15. I find darkness frightening.	frightening	

Stage 4	Word List 4:6	
1. The machine rejected my money.	rejected	
2. Luke admitted that he stole the sweets.	admitted	
3. The gardener planted a flowerbed.	gardener	
Stage 4	Word List 4:7	
4. Be careful, the road is dangerous.	dangerous	
5. The soldier was courageous.	courageous	
6. The film star was glamorous.	glamorous	
Stage 4	Word List 4:8	
7. Mum was furious when I broke the window.	furious	
8. I was curious to see what was in the parcel.	curious	
9. The monster had hideous teeth.	hideous	
Stage 4	Word List 4:9	
10. Can you point me in the right direction?	direction	
11. We had to be silent for the duration of the meeting.	duration	
12. The optician has told me that I need glasses.	optician	
Stage 4	Word List 4:10	
13. I wrote a brilliant conclusion for my story.	conclusion	
14. I used adverbs in my story to build tension.	tension	
15. We had an interesting discussion in class today.	discussion	

Spell Check: Sentences for dictation

These lists can be used as either:
•	a placement exercise to determine where to commence the teaching programme
•	an assessment exercise to determine retention and revision of the programme taught to date.

It is recommended that the assessments are kept short and frequent. These assume 15 words representing the teaching points and conventions of approximately 5 weeks teaching.
Read eat sentence aloud stressing the word to be spelt in context. Then repeat the word on its own.

Stage 4	Word List 4:11	
1. Batman is my favourite cartoon character.	character	
2. I have a stomach ache.	stomach	
3. The mechanic came to fix our car.	mechanic	
Stage 4	Word List 4:12	
4. The chef made delicious desserts.	chef	
5. The plague killed hundreds of people.	plague	
6. You must clean the plaque off your teeth.	plaque	
Stage 4	Word List 4:13	
7. I have a scab on my knee.	scab	
8. The flowers had a lovely scent.	scent	
9. I cut my finger on the scissors.	scissors	
Stage 4	Word List 4:14	
10. The bride wore a veil.	veil	
11. My diet helped me lose a lot of weight.	weight	
12. You must obey the rules.	obey	
Stage 4	Word List 4:15	
13. The pig’s tail was curly.	pig’s	
14. Foxes’ homes are called dens.	foxes’	
15. Tomatoes’ skins are red.	tomatoes’	

Stage 4	Word List 4:16	
1. Babies’ clothes are tiny.	babies’	
2. Knives’ blades can be very sharp.	knives’	
3. The children’s bedroom was messy.	children’s	
Stage 4	Word List 4:17	
4. I keep my pocket money in a jar.	keep	
5. ‘Be quiet, the baby is sleeping’, said the lady.	sleeping	
6. I swept the kitchen floor.	swept	
Stage 4	Word List 4:18	
7. I spend a lot of time with my friend Zach.	spend	
8. I like sending letters to my Grandad.	sending	
9. I lent some money to my brother.	lent	
Stage 4	Word List 4:19	
10. I found a toad in the garden.	toad	
11. My plant has grown very quickly.	grown	
12. The queen sat in her throne.	throne	
Stage 4	Word List 4:20	
13. ‘It’s time for tea!’ called Mum.	time	
14. The tyre on my bike is flat.	tyre	
15. I might be able to come to your party.	might