NECO 2008 English Language · Question 9

thin — Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that has the same consonant sound as the one represented…

Question

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

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

A.bathe
B.day
C.there
D.they
E.tooth

Answer: E. tooth

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined letters in "thin" are not shown, but they are clearly "th". In "thin" this is the voiceless dental fricative /θ/. We need the option whose "th" (or matching consonant) has the same sound, /θ/.

Concept: English "th" has two sounds:

/θ/ (voiceless): thin, thick, tooth, path, think. Your vocal cords do not vibrate.
/ð/ (voiced): this, they, there, bathe, mother. Your vocal cords vibrate.

Check each option:

A. bathe: /beɪð/, voiced /ð/. ✗
B. day: /d/, a different sound. ✗
C. there: /ðeə/, voiced /ð/. ✗
D. they: /ðeɪ/, voiced /ð/. ✗
E. tooth: /tuːθ/, voiceless /θ/. ✓

Answer: E. tooth has the same /θ/ sound as the "th" in thin.

Tip: Put your fingers on your throat and say the word. If you feel a buzz, it is voiced /ð/ (this, they, bathe). If there is no buzz, it is voiceless /θ/ (thin, tooth). Also, a verb with a final "e" such as "bathe" is voiced, while the noun "bath" is voiceless.

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