Vowel Teams: Diphthongs (ou, ow)

Free sample questions, a clear explanation, and 5 practice skills with an AI tutor that guides without giving the answer away.

Sample questions

1. Which word has the "gliding sound" like in "ouch"?

○ cat

○ tree

○ book

✓ house

Answer: house — Listen carefully to the middle sound in "ouch" and "house".

2. Which word names this animal: a farm animal that says "moo"?

✓ cow

○ pig

○ duck

○ goat

Answer: cow — Say the name of the animal that says "moo" out loud. What sound do you hear?

3. Which word has the same special "ou" sound as "cloud"?

○ goat

○ moon

✓ mouse

○ boat

Answer: mouse — Listen for the "ow" sound in "cloud" and then in the options.

Recognize that some vowel teams create a gliding sound (diphthong).
Identify the vowel team 'ou' and its /ow/ sound (e.g., house, cloud, shout).
Decode words containing the 'ou' vowel team.
Identify the vowel team 'ow' and its /ow/ sound (e.g., cow, brown, now).
Create a 'Sound Story' where the main character encounters many things that make the /ow/ sound, using words with both 'ou' and 'ow'.

Unlimited interactive practice, progress tracking, and Nova — your AI tutor. Free to start.