JAMB 2019 English Language · Question 105

A[n]kle — Choose the word that has the consonant sound as the one in bracket, from questions below

Question

Choose the word that has the consonant sound as the one in bracket, from questions below. A[n]kle

A.Tongue
B.New
C.Pneumatic
D.Photosynthesis

Answer: A. Tongue

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The question asks for the word with the same consonant sound as the letter in brackets. In "ankle", the letters "n" in "an[n]kle" is pronounced /ŋ/ (the "ng" sound), as in /ˈæŋkl/. So we need the word containing the /ŋ/ sound.

Concept: In English, the letter "n" before "k" or "g" is usually pronounced /ŋ/ (the velar nasal), as in sink, think, finger, tongue.

Checking each option:

A. Tongue /tʌŋ/. The "ngue" ending gives the /ŋ/ sound. This matches.
B. New /njuː/. The "n" here is the alveolar /n/. Does not match.
C. Pneumatic /njuːˈmætɪk/. The "p" is silent and the "n" is the alveolar /n/. Does not match.
D. Photosynthesis /ˌfoʊtoʊˈsɪnθəsɪs/. The "n" before "th" is the regular /n/ (in careful speech). Does not match.

Answer: The only option with /ŋ/ is Tongue, which is option A.

Tip: Whenever you see "n" followed by "k" or "g" in the same syllable (ankle, sink, tongue, finger), think /ŋ/. Remember that "n" before "k" sounds like "ng", so ankle is said "ang-kle".

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