WAEC 2018 English Language · Question 24

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

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

A.barn
B.owl
C.girl
D.pus

Answer: C. girl

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Question analysis: The word "burn" has no underlined letters shown, but the vowel sound is clearly "ur", which is /ɜː/ (as in "bird", "fur", "learn").

Concept: In English, the vowel sound /ɜː/ can be spelled in several ways: ur (burn), ir (girl), er (her), ear (learn), or (word). So spelling alone can't be trusted. You must listen to the sound.

Step-by-step check of the options:

A. barn is /bɑːn/, which has the long "ah" sound /ɑː/. This does not match.
B. owl is /aʊl/, which has the diphthong /aʊ/. This does not match.
C. girl is /ɡɜːl/, which has the vowel /ɜː/. This matches "burn" /bɜːn/.
D. pus is /pʌs/, which has the short vowel /ʌ/ (as in "cut"). The spelling "u" looks like "burn", but the sound is different.

Answer: The word with the same vowel sound as "burn" is girl.

Tip: Watch out for spelling traps like "pus", which has a "u" but a different sound. The letter combinations ur, ir, er before a consonant usually give /ɜː/ (burn, girl, her, fur, bird). Always say the words aloud to compare the sounds.

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