laugh — Choose the word that has the same rhyme scheme

Analyze the question: The question asks for the word that rhymes with "laugh". Rhyming words share the same ending sound, so we look at how the words are pronounced, not how they are spelled.

Explain the concept: In English, the spelling "-augh" or "-alf" can hide the real sound. Always say the words aloud and compare the ending sounds.

Step-by-step solution:

• laugh is pronounced /lɑːf/ (or /læf/), which ends in the sound "-af" (the "gh" sounds like "f").
• A. life is pronounced /laɪf/. The vowel is "eye", so it does not rhyme.
• B. half is pronounced /hɑːf/. The vowel and the final "f" sound match "laugh", so it rhymes.
• C. ghost is pronounced /ɡəʊst/. It ends in "-st", so it does not rhyme.
• D. light is pronounced /laɪt/. It ends in "-t" with a different vowel, so it does not rhyme.

Answer: B. half

Tip: Ignore spelling and listen to the sound. In "laugh", the "gh" makes an /f/ sound, so look for another word ending in /f/ with the same vowel. Other words that rhyme with "laugh" are staff, calf and giraffe. Also remember that "gh" can be silent (light) or sound like "f" (laugh, cough), so always say the word to yourself.