JAMB 2018 English Language · Question 2

chateau — Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s)…

Question

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. chateau

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

A.chart
B.church
C.champagne
D.chemical

Answer: C. champagne

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "chateau" (the underlined letters are presumably "ch"). We need the option where "ch" has the same sound as in "chateau".

Explain the concept: In English, the letters "ch" can be pronounced in three ways:

/tʃ/ as in church, chart, chair (the common English sound)
/k/ as in chemical, chorus, school (from Greek words)
/ʃ/ as in chateau, champagne, machine, chef (from French words)

Solution:

chateau is a French word, pronounced /ˈʃætəʊ/. The "ch" sounds like "sh": /ʃ/.
A. chart /tʃɑːt/ gives /tʃ/. ✗
B. church /tʃɜːtʃ/ gives /tʃ/. ✗
C. champagne /ʃæmˈpeɪn/ gives /ʃ/. ✓
D. chemical /ˈkemɪkl/ gives /k/. ✗

Only "champagne" shares the /ʃ/ sound with "chateau".

Correct answer: C. champagne

Exam tip: When you see "ch", check the word's origin:

French loanwords (chef, chauffeur, machine, brochure, chic) usually give /ʃ/.
Greek loanwords (chemistry, chorus, character, ache) usually give /k/.
Native English words (chair, cheese, church) give /tʃ/.

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