parent — choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the on represented by the letter(s)…

The underlined letter(s) in "parent" aren't shown in the question, but the word begins with p, so the sound being tested is almost certainly /p/. (If you can see which letters are underlined on your paper, check that it's the "p".)

Concept: Consonant sounds in English don't always match their spelling. The letter "p" is usually /p/, but "ph" is usually /f/, and "p" can be silent in some words.

Step-by-step analysis of the options:

• A. pious /ˈpaɪəs/: begins with /p/. This matches.
• B. physics /ˈfɪzɪks/: "ph" is pronounced /f/. No match.
• C. corps /kɔː/: the "p" is silent, and the "s" is silent too. No match.
• D. pharmacy /ˈfɑːməsi/: "ph" is pronounced /f/. No match.

Answer: Only "pious" has the /p/ sound found in "parent", so the answer is A.

Tip: When a question asks about "p", check whether it is part of "ph" (usually /f/, as in physics, pharmacy, photo) or silent (as in corps, psychology, pneumonia). If the "p" stands alone and is pronounced, it is /p/.