WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 68

heart — choose the word that has the same vowel sound(s) 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(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. heart

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

A.mark
B.bag
C.anger
D.carry

Answer: A. mark

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word "heart" is pronounced /hɑːt/. The vowel sound is the long /ɑː/ (as in "father"). The underlined letters were not marked in the question, but the vowel sound in "heart" is the "ear" spelling, which gives /ɑː/. We need the option with the same sound.

Explain the concept: In English, the same sound can be spelled in different ways. "ear" in "heart" is an exception, since "ear" is usually /ɪə/ (hear) or /ɜː/ (earn). Here it is pronounced /ɑː/, a long open back vowel.

Check each option:

A. mark: /mɑːk/. The vowel is /ɑː/, which matches.
B. bag: /bæɡ/. The vowel is the short /æ/, which does not match.
C. anger: /ˈæŋɡə/. The vowel is the short /æ/, which does not match.
D. carry: /ˈkæri/. The vowel is the short /æ/, which does not match.

Answer: The correct option is A. mark. Both "heart" and "mark" have the long /ɑː/ sound.

Tip: Words with "ar" before a consonant (mark, park, hard, farm) usually have /ɑː/. Also memorize the common "ea" exceptions that take /ɑː/: heart, hearth. Be careful not to confuse the long /ɑː/ with the short /æ/ in words like bag and carry.

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