WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 50

month — 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. month

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

A.mug
B.font
C.cost
D.moth

Answer: A. mug

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Question analysis: The word "month" has the underlined vowel "o". We need a word whose vowel sound matches it.

Concept: In "month" /mʌnθ/, the letter "o" is pronounced as the short vowel /ʌ/, as in "cup" or "love". This is a well-known irregular spelling pattern. Other examples are money, monkey, son, come, and done.

Step-by-step check of the options:

A. mug /mʌɡ/: the vowel is /ʌ/. This matches "month".
B. font /fɒnt/: the vowel is /ɒ/, as in "hot". Not a match.
C. cost /kɒst/: the vowel is /ɒ/. Not a match.
D. moth /mɒθ/: the vowel is /ɒ/. This is a tempting distractor because it looks similar to "month", but the sound is different.

Answer: The vowel in "month" is /ʌ/, and only "mug" shares it.

Exam tip: Do not match words by spelling. "Month" and "moth" look alike, but they sound different. Say each word aloud and focus on the vowel sound only. Remember that "o" often sounds like /ʌ/ before n, m, or v (son, month, love, come).

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