WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 104

purse — 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. purse

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

A.currant
B.leisure
C.first
D.sure

Answer: C. first

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: "purse" is /pɜːs/. The vowel sound is the long central vowel /ɜː/. We need the option whose vowel sound matches it. (The underlined letters are not shown, but the vowel in "purse" is "ur".)

Concept: Letter combinations like ur, ir, er, ear often produce /ɜː/, as in burn, bird, her, learn.

Checking each option:

A. currant /ˈkʌrənt/: the "ur" here is the short vowel /ʌ/. This does not match.
B. leisure /ˈleʒə/: the vowel is /e/ (or /iː/ in some accents). This does not match.
C. first /fɜːst/: the "ir" gives /ɜː/. This matches purse.
D. sure /ʃʊə/ or /ʃɔː/: the vowel is /ʊə/ or /ɔː/. This does not match.

Answer: C. first, because both words have the vowel /ɜː/.

Tip: When you see ur, ir or er followed by a consonant, think /ɜː/ (purse, first, term). Be careful with exceptions like currant and current, where the "ur" is short /ʌ/. In sound questions, always say the words aloud to hear the match.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.