JAMB 2025 English Language · Question 114

For the question, choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the ones represented by the letter(s) underlined. house

Options

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

A.happy
B.rhythm
C.ghost
D.honour

Answer: A. happy

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined letter(s) in "house" aren't shown, but the only consonant that can sensibly be tested at the start of "house" is h, which is pronounced /h/. So we need the word whose matching sound is /h/.

Concept: In English, some letters are silent or are pronounced differently from what you expect. The letter h is sounded /h/ in most words, but it is silent in a few words, especially ones borrowed from French (honour, hour, honest, heir).

Check each option:

A. happy: begins with /h/ (as in hap-py). ✔ Same sound as the h in house.
B. rhythm: the rh is pronounced /r/, and the h is silent. ✘
C. ghost: the gh is pronounced /g/. The h is silent. ✘
D. honour: the h is silent (pronounced /ˈɒnə/). ✘

Answer: Only happy has the /h/ sound, just like house (/haʊs/).

Tip: Memorize the common silent-h words: honour, honest, hour, heir, rhythm, ghost, exhaust, vehicle. If a question asks for the /h/ sound, eliminate these first. Whatever is left is usually your answer.

One note: the underlined part was not visible in the question as pasted. If it were something other than the initial h (for example the s in house), the answer could change, so check the original paper.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.