WAEC 2018 English Language · Question 112

high — 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. high

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

A.yell
B.bye
C.quay
D.toil

Answer: B. bye

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: We need the word whose vowel sound matches the one in "high". The question is about phonetics (vowel sounds/diphthongs).

Explain the concept: In "high", the "igh" spelling makes the diphthong /aɪ/, the sound in "my" or "time". Spelling can be misleading, so always go by how the word sounds.

Solution: check each option

A. yell has /jel/. The vowel is /e/, as in "bed". This does not match.
B. bye has /baɪ/. The vowel is the diphthong /aɪ/. This matches "high" /haɪ/.
C. quay has /kiː/. The vowel is the long /iː/, as in "key". This does not match.
D. toil has /tɔɪl/. The vowel is the diphthong /ɔɪ/, as in "boy". This does not match.

Answer: The vowel sound in "high" is /aɪ/, and only "bye" has the same sound.

Tip: Group words by sound, not spelling. Words with the /aɪ/ sound include high, bye, buy, my, eye, rice, tie, sky. "Quay" is a common trap in WASSCE and JAMB because it is spelled in a confusing way but pronounced /kiː/. Learn these irregular words, such as quay, people, key, and ski.

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