JAMB 2016 English Language · Question 5

For these questions, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the ones represented by the letter (s) underlined ''reprieve''

Options

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

A.rich
B.police
C.queer
D.probity

Answer: B. police

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

The underlining didn't come through in the question, so I'm working on the most likely target. In "reprieve", the stressed vowel sound is the "ie" in "-prieve", which is the long vowel /iː/ (as in "see"). Reprieve is pronounced /rɪˈpriːv/.

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the option whose underlined vowel sound matches the long /iː/ sound in "reprieve".

Step 2: Check each option

A. rich /rɪtʃ/: short /ɪ/. Not a match.
B. police /pəˈliːs/: the stressed "i" is the long /iː/. Match.
C. queer /kwɪə(r)/: the vowel is the centring diphthong /ɪə/. Not a match.
D. probity /ˈprəʊbɪti/: the "i" is short /ɪ/, and the final "y" is a weak /i/. Not a match for the long sound.

Step 3: Conclusion "Reprieve" has /iː/, and "police" has /iː/ in its stressed syllable. So the answer is B.

Exam tip: Be careful with words with "i" that sound like "ee". These are often words of French origin, such as police, machine, magazine, routine, antique. They don't follow the usual short "i" pattern. Also, always check whether the vowel is a pure sound (monophthong) or a gliding sound (diphthong). "Queer" with /ɪə/ is a common trap.

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