WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 87

part — 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. part

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

A.cat
B.shout
C.cane
D.aunt

Answer: D. aunt

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word "part" has the vowel sound /ɑː/ (a long, open "ah" sound). The underlined letters are "ar", which gives /ɑː/ in the word. We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Explain the concept: Matching vowel sounds depends on how a word is pronounced, not how it is spelled. Many different spellings can give the same sound. Here, "ar" in "part" is pronounced /pɑːt/.

Work through the options:

A. cat has /æ/ (short "a"), as in /kæt/. This is different from /ɑː/.
B. shout has /aʊ/ (a diphthong), as in /ʃaʊt/. This is different.
C. cane has /eɪ/ (a diphthong), as in /keɪn/. This is different.
D. aunt has /ɑː/ in standard British (and Nigerian standard) English, as in /ɑːnt/. This matches the vowel in "part".

Answer: D. aunt. Both "part" /pɑːt/ and "aunt" /ɑːnt/ have the long /ɑː/ sound.

Tip: Say the words aloud and listen for the sound, ignoring the spelling. "Aunt" is a classic exam trap because "au" looks nothing like "ar", yet they sound the same. Other words with /ɑː/ include calm, laugh, heart, palm and father. Memorising these irregular spellings can win you easy marks.

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