WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 125

feel — 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. feel

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

A.beat
B.buffet
C.head
D.seer

Answer: A. beat

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "feel", and the vowel sound is the long /iː/ (as in "see"). We need the option with the same vowel sound. The underlining isn't shown, but in "feel" it is almost certainly "ee".

Explain the concept: In English vowel-sound questions, ignore the spelling and focus on the sound. Say each word aloud and compare the vowel.

Solution:

feel = /fiːl/, vowel /iː/
A. beat = /biːt/, vowel /iː/ ✔ (same sound)
B. buffet = /ˈbʊfeɪ/ or /ˈbʌfɪt/ (the meal sense), vowel /ʊ/, /ʌ/ or /eɪ/ ✘
C. head = /hed/, vowel /e/ ✘
D. seer = /sɪə(r)/, vowel is the diphthong /ɪə/ ✘. It looks similar because of "ee", but the "r" changes the sound.

Answer: A. beat. Both "feel" and "beat" have the long /iː/ sound.

Tip: Watch for the trap in option D. "Seer" has "ee" in the spelling, but it is a diphthong /ɪə/, not the pure long /iː/. Always sound the words out rather than trusting the spelling.

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