NECO 2009 English Language · Question 6

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

Options

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

A.fit
B.great
C.jeopardy
D.people
E.pleasant

Answer: D. people

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word "seat" has the vowel sound /iː/ (the long "ee" sound), written phonetically as /siːt/. You need the option whose vowel sound matches this.

Concept: In English, the same sound can be spelled in different ways. The long /iː/ sound can appear as "ea" (seat), "ee" (see), "ie" (field), or even "eo" in unusual words like "people".

Step-by-step check of each option:

A. fit /fɪt/: short /ɪ/ sound, not the same as /iː/.
B. great /ɡreɪt/: the "ea" here makes the /eɪ/ sound, as in "day". It is a trap because it has the same spelling as "seat" but a different sound.
C. jeopardy /ˈdʒepədi/: the "eo" makes a short /e/ sound, as in "bed".
D. people /ˈpiːpl/: the "eo" makes the long /iː/ sound. This matches "seat".
E. pleasant /ˈplezənt/: the "ea" makes a short /e/ sound, as in "bed".

Answer: Only people has the long /iː/ sound, the same as "seat".

Exam tip: Do not rely on spelling alone. "ea" can be pronounced in several ways:

/iː/ as in seat, team, read
/e/ as in bread, pleasant, health
/eɪ/ as in great, break, steak

Say each option aloud in your head and compare the sounds, not the letters. Also remember "people" as a standard example of the odd spelling "eo" making the /iː/ sound.

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