JAMB 2011 English Language · Question 53

Bubble? — Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s)

Question

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). Bubble?

In the original paper part of this question is underlined. The underline isn't shown here: see the explanation below.

A.guy
B.bull
C.bumper
D.gurgle

Answer: C. bumper

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

The question's underlined letter is missing, but the word is "Bubble", so the underlined part is almost certainly the vowel "u", which is pronounced /ʌ/ (as in "cup").

Step 1: Find the vowel sound in "Bubble"

Bubble is pronounced /ˈbʌbl/.
The "u" gives the short vowel /ʌ/.

Step 2: Check each option

A. guy /gaɪ/: the vowel is the diphthong /aɪ/. ✗
B. bull /bʊl/: the vowel is /ʊ/, as in "put". ✗
C. bumper /ˈbʌmpə/: the "u" is /ʌ/. ✓
D. gurgle /ˈɡɜːɡl/: the "ur" is the long vowel /ɜː/. ✗

Step 3: Answer "Bumper" has the same vowel sound /ʌ/ as "Bubble".

Tip: In JAMB sound questions, "u" before a consonant is usually /ʌ/ (cup, bus, bumper, bubble). Be careful with "bull", "put" and "full", which have the shorter /ʊ/. Also watch for "ur" or "ir" (gurgle, bird), which gives /ɜː/. Say each word aloud and compare the vowel sounds.

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