WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 63

/j/ — choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol

Question

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol. /j/

A.jump
B.dodge
C.you
D.jelly

Answer: C. you

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The symbol /j/ in phonetics is not the English letter "j". It is the "palatal approximant", the "y" sound as in yes. The sound in jump is a different symbol, /dʒ/.

Explain the concept:

/j/ is the "y" sound: yes /jes/, yellow, unit /ˈjuːnɪt/, you /juː/
/dʒ/ is the "j" sound: jump, jelly, judge, dodge

Check each option:

A. jump /dʒʌmp/: starts with /dʒ/, not /j/
B. dodge /dɒdʒ/: ends with /dʒ/, not /j/
C. you /juː/: starts with /j/ ✔
D. jelly /ˈdʒeli/: starts with /dʒ/, not /j/

Answer: Option C (you) contains the /j/ sound.

Tip: Don't be fooled by the letter shape. In phonetics, /j/ always sounds like the "y" in yes. The "j" sound of jump needs two symbols, /dʒ/. Whenever you see /j/, think "y".

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