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

Analyze the question The symbol /j/ is the "y" sound, as in yes /jes/ or yellow. It is not the sound of the letter "j" in judge. This trips up many students.

Explain the concept In phonetics, /j/ is a palatal approximant, the "y" sound. The "j" sound in judge is a different symbol, /dʒ/. Sometimes the /j/ sound is hidden inside a vowel spelling such as "u", "ew" or "ue", as in use /juːz/, few /fjuː/ and cue /kjuː/.

Check each option

• A. cue /kjuː/: it has the /k/ sound, then /j/, then /uː/. ✔
• B. quit /kwɪt/: "qu" gives /kw/, so there is no /j/. ✘
• C. judge /dʒʌdʒ/: this has /dʒ/, which is not /j/. ✘
• D. cheer /tʃɪə/: this has /tʃ/, which is not /j/. ✘

Answer The correct option is A (cue).

Tip Don't be fooled by the letter "j". Ask yourself: "Does the word have a y sound, as in yes?" Words like cue, few, music, beauty hide the /j/ sound even though there is no letter "y". Remember that /dʒ/ is the "judge" sound and /j/ is the "yes" sound.