WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 96

fear — 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. fear

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

A.bear
B.swear
C.spare
D.beer

Answer: D. beer

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: "fear" has the vowel sound /ɪə/ (as in "here"). We need the option whose underlined vowel sound is the same.

Explain the concept: In English, the letters "ear" and "eer" can be pronounced in different ways. Words like "bear", "swear", and "pear" have the /eə/ sound, while words like "fear", "beer", "deer", and "cheer" have the /ɪə/ sound. Only the sound matters, not the spelling.

Solution:

fear: /fɪə/
A. bear: /beə/ (different sound)
B. swear: /sweə/ (different sound)
C. spare: /speə/ (different sound)
D. beer: /bɪə/ (same /ɪə/ sound as "fear")

Options A, B, and C all share the /eə/ sound, so they are the odd ones out. Only "beer" matches the /ɪə/ in "fear".

Answer: D. beer

Tip: For "ear" words, remember that "bear", "pear", "swear", and "wear" are the exceptions that rhyme with "air". Most other "ear" words, such as "fear", "dear", "near", "hear", and "year", have the /ɪə/ sound. Also, "eer" is almost always /ɪə/ (beer, deer, cheer, steer).

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