The 'i before e' rule

Applying 'i before e except after c' (for the /ee/ sound) and learning exceptions

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Apply the rule: Spell the word that means 'to accept as true' - bel___ve. bel___ve
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2
Which spelling is correct? A) receive B) recieve C) receeve D) recive
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3
Spell the word: a close pal is called a fr___nd. fr___nd
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4
Which spelling is correct? A) beleive B) believe C) belive D) beleeve
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5
Which word breaks the 'i before e' rule? A) weird B) field C) piece D) thief
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6
Apply the rule: the highest part of a room is the c___ling. c___ling
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7
Which spelling is correct? A) niece B) neice C) niecce D) nece
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8
Which is an exception to the 'i before e' rule? A) weight B) chief C) field D) niece
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9
Apply the rule: to take something is to rec___ve it. rec___ve
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10
Which spelling is correct? A) achieve B) acheive C) achive D) achieff
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Answer key

The 'i before e' rule · for parents and teachers

1
ie
'Believe' follows the 'i before e' rule.
2
receive
After 'c', the order is 'ei' - so 'receive' is correct.
3
ie
'Friend' is spelled with 'ie'. Note: the rule 'i before e' strictly applies to the /ee/ sound, and 'friend' uses an /e/ sound, so it is often listed as a word to learn by heart.
4
believe
'Believe' follows the rule: i before e.
5
weird
'Weird' is an exception - it has 'ei' without a preceding 'c'. Remember 'weird' is, well, weird!
6
ei
'Ceiling' follows the rule: after 'c', use 'ei'.
7
niece
'Niece' follows the 'i before e' rule. Note: the 'c' comes after, not before, the vowel pair.
8
weight
'Weight' is an exception - it has 'ei' without a preceding 'c'. The /ay/ sound here breaks the usual rule.
9
ei
'Receive' follows the rule: after 'c', use 'ei'.
10
achieve
'Achieve' follows the 'i before e' rule.