WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 3

man — choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined…

Question

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

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

A.sing
B.bring
C.manager
D.finger

Answer: C. manager

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: We need the word with the same consonant sound as the underlined part of man. The underlining didn't show in the text, so the consonant is either m (/m/) or n (/n/). The answer works out the same either way.

Concept: Spelling can mislead you in sound questions. The letters ng at the end of a syllable often make a single sound, the velar nasal /ŋ/, as in sing. This is different from the alveolar nasal /n/ in man.

Solution:

man → /mæn/. It has the sounds /m/ and /n/.
A. sing → /sɪŋ/. The "ng" is /ŋ/, not /n/.
B. bring → /brɪŋ/. The "ng" is /ŋ/, not /n/.
C. manager → /ˈmænɪdʒə/. It has /m/ and a clear /n/, the same as man.
D. finger → /ˈfɪŋgə/. The "ng" is /ŋ/ (followed by /g/), not /n/.

Only manager has the same /m/ and /n/ sounds as man. The other three words all contain /ŋ/.

Answer: C. manager

Tip: When you see "n" next to "g" or "k" in a sound question, check whether it is /ŋ/ (sing, finger, think) or plain /n/ (man, manager). Say the word slowly, and if the sound comes from the back of your throat, it is /ŋ/.

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