WAEC 2018 English Language · Question 6

how — 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. how

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

A.low
B.drought
C.bowl
D.bought

Answer: B. drought

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "how" (the underlined part is "ow"). We need the option with the same vowel sound as "how", which is the diphthong /aʊ/, as in "cow" or "now".

Explain the concept: The letters "ow" can be pronounced in two main ways:

/aʊ/ as in how, now, cow, town
/əʊ/ as in low, show, bowl, know

Likewise, "ou" can have several sounds, such as /aʊ/ in house, /ɔː/ in bought, and /ʌ/ in young.

Solution, checking each option:

A. low: /ləʊ/. The vowel is /əʊ/, which does not match.
B. drought: /draʊt/. The vowel is /aʊ/, which matches "how". Note that "drought" does not rhyme with "bought", even though it looks similar. It is pronounced "drowt".
C. bowl: /bəʊl/. The vowel is /əʊ/, which does not match.
D. bought: /bɔːt/. The vowel is /ɔː/, which does not match.

Answer: The only option with the /aʊ/ sound is B. drought.

Exam tip: Spelling can mislead you in vowel-sound questions, so say each word aloud and ignore how it looks. Remember that "drought" and "doubt" both have the /aʊ/ sound, while "bought", "thought" and "ought" have /ɔː/.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.