NECO 2008 English Language · Question 35

gear — Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by…

Question

Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined Letter(s). gear

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

A.badge
B.bridge
C.jeer
D.large
E.leg

Answer: C. jeer

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word whose vowel sound matches the vowel sound in "gear". (The underlined letters weren't shown, but in "gear" the vowel sound comes from "ea".)

Explain the concept: In "gear", the letters "ea" make the diphthong /ɪə/, the same sound as in "here" or "beer". To answer, say each option aloud and find its vowel sound.

Step-by-step solution:

gear → /gɪə/ → vowel sound /ɪə/
A. badge → /bædʒ/ → /æ/ ✗
B. bridge → /brɪdʒ/ → /ɪ/ (a short sound, not the diphthong) ✗
C. jeer → /dʒɪə/ → /ɪə/ ✓
D. large → /lɑːdʒ/ → /ɑː/ ✗
E. leg → /leg/ → /e/ ✗

Only "jeer" has the /ɪə/ sound, the same as "gear".

Correct answer: C. jeer

Tip: Be careful with /ɪ/ (as in "bridge") and /ɪə/ (as in "gear"). The second sound glides toward a weak "uh" at the end, as in "ear", "deer", "cheer", "peer". If a word ends in "-eer" or "-ear" (as in "hear", not "bear"), it often has this diphthong. Remember that spelling can mislead: "ea" is also pronounced differently in "bear" (/eə/) and "heard" (/ɜː/). Always say the word aloud.

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