Here's why:
* Spelling: The vowel "i" in "kite" is followed by a consonant ("t") and then a silent "e" at the end of the word. This is a common pattern for long vowel sounds in English.
* Pronunciation: The "i" in "kite" is pronounced as a long "i" sound, similar to the sound in "bike" or "time".
Let me know if you have any other vowel sound questions!