JAMB 2022 English Language · Question 8

mother — 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. mother

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

A.think
B.teacher
C.breathe
D.watched

Answer: C. breathe

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "mother". The underlined letters are not shown, but the consonant in "mother" that is usually tested is th, which is pronounced /ð/ (the voiced "th").

Explain the concept: English has two "th" sounds:

/θ/ (voiceless): the vocal cords do not vibrate, as in think, thin, bath.
/ð/ (voiced): the vocal cords vibrate, as in mother, this, breathe.

Put your fingers on your throat and say "mother." You feel a buzz on the "th", so it is voiced.

Solution: check each option

A. think: "th" is /θ/ (voiceless). Not a match.
B. teacher: "t" is /t/, and "ch" is /tʃ/. Not a match.
C. breathe: "th" is /ð/ (voiced), because the final silent "e" signals the voiced sound. It matches "mother".
D. watched: "tch" is /tʃ/, and the "ed" ending is pronounced /t/. Not a match.

Answer: The correct option is C. breathe.

Tip: Compare noun and verb pairs. Breath /θ/ is the noun and breathe /ð/ is the verb. Words ending in "-the" (breathe, bathe, soothe) usually take the voiced /ð/. Also, "th" in common function words (this, that, these, the, them) is voiced.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.