WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 30

ride — 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. ride

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

A.buy
B.lay
C.till
D.brim

Answer: A. buy

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word whose vowel sound matches the vowel sound in "ride". (The underlining was not shown, but "ride" has just one vowel sound, the "i" in the middle.)

Explain the concept: In "ride", the "i...e" pattern (a silent "e" making the vowel long) produces the diphthong /aɪ/, the same sound as in "my" or "light". The key is to match the sound, not the spelling.

Solution:

ride → /raɪd/, vowel sound /aɪ/
A. buy → /baɪ/, vowel sound /aɪ/ ✔ (the spelling "uy" is unusual, but it sounds like "eye")
B. lay → /leɪ/, vowel sound /eɪ/ ✘
C. till → /tɪl/, vowel sound /ɪ/ (short) ✘
D. brim → /brɪm/, vowel sound /ɪ/ (short) ✘

Only buy has the /aɪ/ sound, so it matches ride.

Answer: A. buy

Exam tip: Always say the words aloud (or in your head) and ignore the spelling. Words like buy, guy, eye, high, my, tie all share /aɪ/ despite looking very different. "Till" and "brim" are traps because they contain "i" but give the short /ɪ/ sound.

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