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Minimal Pairs Practice

A Grade 3 ELA worksheet focused on identifying and differentiating minimal pairs through various exercises.

Grade 3 ELA GrammarPhonicsMinimal Pairs
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Includes

TextMultiple ChoiceFill in the BlanksShort AnswerTrue / FalseWord Bank

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.ACCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2.E

Topics

minimal pairsphonicsELAgrade 3grammar
8 sections · Free to use · Printable
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Minimal Pairs Practice

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Date:

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Read each question carefully and follow the instructions to complete the activities on minimal pairs.

What are Minimal Pairs?

Minimal pairs are two words that sound almost the same but have one small sound difference that changes their meaning. For example, 'cat' and 'bat' are minimal pairs because only the first sound is different.

1. Which pair of words is a minimal pair?

a

run, jump

b

sit, sat

c

big, small

d

apple, orange

2. Which of these words forms a minimal pair with 'fan'?

a

fast

b

fun

c

van

d

friend

Complete the minimal pair. Write the missing word.

3. The   ran fast. (cat / hat)

4. Please   down. (sit / sat)

5. I have a new  . (pen / pin)

6. The   is on the tree. (bird / bed)

7. Think of two words that form a minimal pair. Write them down and explain what sound makes them different.

Read each statement and decide if it's True or False.

8. 'Boat' and 'coat' are minimal pairs.

T

True

F

False

9. 'Dog' and 'cat' are minimal pairs.

T

True

F

False

Use the words in the word bank to complete the sentences below. Some words are minimal pairs!

cup
cap
bug
rug

10. I drink water from my  .

11. Put on your   before you go outside.

12. There is a small   on the flower.

13. My dog likes to sleep on the soft  .