This is a colourful, child-orientated, pair of programs which use the Speech Synthesizer and have appeal for the pre-reading-age child.

The first program, Match Halves, presents a sprite-filled title sequence followed by instructions, which, if spoken, follow the line-by-line presentation on-screen, making each line sound like a fresh sentence, possibly causing confusion.

Objects then appear, each split in two, requiring the child to use left and right halves of the keyboard to manipulate the two parts.

A bug appeared here: the program can respond when the halves are 'off' by about a keystroke. This lets down otherwise good Synthesizer use and excellent graphics.

In Match Colours, the child must press a key when an arrow points to a block matching the colour requested. If a wrong colour is repeatedly selected, the computer enters 'tutoring mode', where each colour is shown and named. The Speech Synthesizer is a necessity here.

The score shows overall performance, which could be useful in determining whether a child has difficulty naming colours.

The program is well-written, and excellent use is made of the Speech option. Needs Extended Basic.

P.B.