WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 14

open — 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. open

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

A.chaos
B.coin
C.boar
D.phone

Answer: D. phone

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "open", and the underlined part (not visible here) is almost certainly the first vowel "o", which in "open" is the diphthong /əʊ/ (as in "go"). So we look for the option with the /əʊ/ sound.

Concept: Vowel sound questions test the sound, not the spelling. The "o" in "open" /ˈəʊpən/ is the diphthong /əʊ/.

Check each option:

A. chaos /ˈkeɪɒs/. The stressed "a" is /eɪ/ and the "o" is /ɒ/ (as in "hot"). The vowel sounds here are not /əʊ/.
B. coin /kɔɪn/. The vowel sound is /ɔɪ/ (as in "boy"). Not a match.
C. boar /bɔː/. The vowel sound is /ɔː/ (as in "door"). Not a match.
D. phone /fəʊn/. The vowel sound is /əʊ/. This matches "open".

Answer: D. "phone" has the same /əʊ/ sound as the "o" in "open".

Note: The underlined letters were not shown in your question. If a different part was underlined, send it and we can recheck.

Tip: Say the words aloud and listen to the vowel's "glide". /əʊ/ starts mid-central and glides to "oo", as in go, phone, open, note, home. Don't be fooled by "boar", which is spelled with "o" but sounds like /ɔː/.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.