NECO 2009 English Language · Question 15

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

Options

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

A.legion
B.lounge
C.obtain
D.seen
E.sing

Answer: E. sing

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined letters in "Thing" aren't shown, so we have to decide which sound is meant. The word "thing" has two candidate sounds: "th" /θ/ and "ng" /ŋ/. None of the options contains /θ/, so the underlined part must be ng, the sound /ŋ/.

Concept: The letters "ng" at the end of a word like "thing" make one single nasal sound, /ŋ/. It is not an /n/ followed by a /g/.

Check each option:

A. legion /ˈliːdʒən/: the "g" sounds like /dʒ/. ✗
B. lounge /laʊndʒ/: the "ng" here is /n/ + /dʒ/, not /ŋ/. ✗
C. obtain /əbˈteɪn/: the "n" is just /n/. ✗
D. seen /siːn/: the "n" is /n/. ✗
E. sing /sɪŋ/: the "ng" is /ŋ/. ✓

Answer: E. "sing" ends with the same /ŋ/ sound as "thing" /θɪŋ/.

Tip: In questions like this, say each word aloud and listen to the last sound. If the "ng" sound comes from the back of your throat (like in "sing", "ring", "king"), it is /ŋ/. Don't be fooled by words like "lounge", where the "g" is really /dʒ/, as in "judge".

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.