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

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word that contains the diphthong /eɪ/, the sound in "day", "late" and "say".

Concept: A diphthong is a gliding vowel sound that starts at one vowel position and moves toward another. /eɪ/ sounds like the letter name "A".

Solution: Let's check each word.

• A. alone is /əˈləʊn/. It has the schwa /ə/ and the diphthong /əʊ/, not /eɪ/.
• B. greet is /griːt/. It has the long vowel /iː/, not /eɪ/.
• C. height is /haɪt/. It has the diphthong /aɪ/, not /eɪ/. This is a common trap because "ei" is in the spelling, but the sound is /aɪ/.
• D. neigh is /neɪ/. The "eigh" spelling gives the /eɪ/ sound, the same as in "weigh", "sleigh" and "eight".

Answer: D. neigh

Tip: Do not trust spelling when answering sound questions. The letters "ei" or "eigh" can be pronounced differently:

• "eigh" usually gives /eɪ/: neigh, weigh, eight, neighbour
• "height" and "sleight" give /aɪ/ (exceptions)

Say the word aloud and listen to the vowel sound rather than reading the letters.