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  what

Analyze the question: The underlined part is "wh" in "what". We need the word whose "wh" is pronounced with the same consonant sound.

Explain the concept: In English, "wh" can be pronounced in different ways:

• /w/ (or /hw/ in some accents) as in what, where, when, why, which
• /h/ as in who, whom, whose, whole, whooping

This happens because in words like "who" and "whole", the "w" is silent and the "h" is what we hear.

Solution:

• what → /wɒt/. The "wh" gives the /w/ sound.
• A. whom → /huːm/. "wh" gives /h/. ✗
• B. whose → /huːz/. "wh" gives /h/. ✗
• C. whole → /həʊl/. "wh" gives /h/. ✗
• D. where → /weə/. "wh" gives /w/. ✓

Only where has the same /w/ consonant sound as "what".

Answer: D. where

Tip: Remember that "who" and its relatives (whom, whose, whole) all sound like they begin with "h". The "wh" words that are question words with a "w" feel (what, where, when, why, which) share the /w/ sound. If the word has an "o" right after "wh", it is usually the /h/ sound.