WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 103

drought — choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

Question

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. drought

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

A.drown
B.draft
C.should
D.tough

Answer: A. drown

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "drought" (underlined part is presumably "ough"). We need the word whose vowel sound matches the vowel sound in "drought."

Explain the concept: In English, "ough" is pronounced in many different ways (though, through, tough, cough, bought). "Drought" is pronounced /draʊt/, with the diphthong /aʊ/, the same sound as in "cow" or "now."

Solution, step by step:

Pronounce "drought": /draʊt/. The vowel sound is /aʊ/.
Check each option: • A. drown /draʊn/: vowel /aʊ/ ✔ (matches) • B. draft /drɑːft/: vowel /ɑː/ ✘ • C. should /ʃʊd/: vowel /ʊ/ ✘ • D. tough /tʌf/: vowel /ʌ/ ✘

Only "drown" has the /aʊ/ sound.

Answer: A. drown

Tip: "Ough" is a tricky spelling, so never go by spelling in vowel-sound questions. Say each word aloud and match the sound. Remember these common "ough" groups:

/aʊ/: drought, bough, plough
/ʌf/: tough, rough, enough
/ɔː/: bought, thought, ought
/oʊ/: though, dough

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