JAMB 2024 English Language · Question 194

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as represented by the underlined letter(s) urn

Options

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

A.bed
B.corn
C.hearse
D.calm

Answer: C. hearse

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: "urn" is pronounced /ɜːn/. The underlined part is "ur", which gives the long vowel /ɜː/. We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Concept: The long vowel /ɜː/ (as in "bird", "turn", "her", "work") can be spelled in several ways: ur, ir, er, ear, or.

Step-by-step check of each option:

A. bed /bed/: vowel /e/. This is a short vowel, so it does not match.
B. corn /kɔːn/: vowel /ɔː/, as in "door". It does not match.
C. hearse /hɜːs/: the "ear" is pronounced /ɜː/, the same as the "ur" in "urn". This matches.
D. calm /kɑːm/: vowel /ɑː/, as in "car". It does not match.

Answer: C. hearse

Tip: Watch for the odd spellings of /ɜː/. "ear" usually sounds like /ɪə/ (as in "hear", "near"), but before "r + consonant" it becomes /ɜː/ in words like hearse, learn, earth, search, pearl. Memorise these as a group, because JAMB likes to test them.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.