Which word starts with the same sound as this word?
Read-Along Word with Scaffolding · ELPAC Kindergarten reading. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
With help from the test examiner, the student gives the letter names and the first letter sound of a word.
Sit with your child. Point at the word below and read it aloud, then read the question and all three answers aloud.
The question
Point at the word and say it slowly. Then read this question and the three answers aloud to your child.
Which word starts with the same sound as this word?
- duck
- egg
- wagonCorrect answer
Why “wagon” is correct
This takes one more step than naming a first sound: your child has to hear the first sound of "web" and then find it again in another word. Say "web" and then each choice slowly, pausing after the first sound of each — w-eb, d-uck, e-gg, w-agon. Rounding the lips for /w/ is easy to see, so let your child watch your mouth.
Why the other answers are wrong
- duck — "Duck" starts with /d/. Like "web", it is a short word with one vowel sound, so a child guessing from the feel of the whole word rather than its first sound may land here. Say "web" and "duck" slowly and listen to the very first sound of each.
- egg — "Egg" starts with the /e/ sound, which is the second sound in "web". A child who picks this heard the vowel, which is a good sign, but not the sound before it.
Practice more of this
More reading practice for Kindergarten, or see the ELPAC practice test for kindergarten. For other grades, see free ELPAC practice tests by grade.
This is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the California Department of Education or the official ELPAC program. All questions here are original practice material written to match the published task formats.