From the word lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) undelined  exam

The question doesn't show which letters are underlined, but "exam" is the word given, so the underlined part is almost certainly the x in "exam". In "exam" the x is pronounced /gz/ (as in "eg-zam").

Step 1: Find the sound in "exam"

• exam = /ɪɡˈzæm/
• The sound represented by "x" is /gz/.

Step 2: Check each option

• A. explain /ɪkˈspleɪn/: x = /ks/
• B. excuse /ɪkˈskjuːz/ (verb) or /ɪkˈskjuːs/ (noun): x = /ks/
• C. exhaust /ɪɡˈzɔːst/: x = /gz/, because the "h" is silent and the x is followed by a vowel sound
• D. exhale /eksˈheɪl/ or /ɪksˈheɪl/: the "h" is pronounced, so x = /ks/

Step 3: Match Only "exhaust" has the /gz/ sound, the same as "exam".

Correct answer: C. exhaust

Tip: When "ex-" is followed by a stressed vowel sound (exam, exact, exist, example, exhaust), x is usually /gz/. When it is followed by a consonant sound (explain, excuse, extra) or a pronounced "h" (exhale), it is usually /ks/. Watch out for silent "h" words like exhaust, exhibit (/ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/), and exhort.