Ever. — Choose the option that rhymes with the given word

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word that rhymes with "ever." Rhyming words share the same ending sound, starting from the last stressed vowel.

Explain the concept: "Ever" is pronounced /ˈev.ə/ (EV-uh). It has two syllables, with the stress on the first. A true rhyme must match both the stressed vowel sound (/e/ as in "bed") and the unstressed ending (/ə/).

Check each option:

• A. Heavier /ˈhev.i.ə/ has three syllables. The ending is "-ier," so it does not match the two-syllable pattern of "ever" exactly.
• B. Favour /ˈfeɪ.və/ has the vowel /eɪ/ as in "day," not the /e/ in "ever." It does not rhyme.
• C. Fever /ˈfiː.və/ has the vowel /iː/ as in "see," not /e/. It looks like "ever," but the sound is different. This is a trap, because it is spelled similarly but does not rhyme.
• D. Never /ˈnev.ə/ has the stressed /e/ and the ending /ə/. It matches "ever" exactly: ev-er / nev-er.

Answer: D. Never rhymes with "ever."

Tip: In rhyme questions, go by sound, not spelling. "Fever" looks similar to "ever," but its vowel sound is different. Say the words aloud and compare the stressed vowel sounds.