short — choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

Analyze the question: The word "short" has the underlined vowel "or", which is pronounced /ɔ:/ (as in "sort" or "port"). We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Explain the concept: In English, the same vowel sound can be spelled in different ways. The long open-o sound /ɔ:/ is found in words like saw, fork, door, caught, jaw. It is different from the short /ɒ/ in "spot" and the short /ʌ/ in "but".

Work through the options:

• A. but has /ʌ/, a short, central vowel. It does not match.
• B. shoot has /u:/, a long "oo" sound. It does not match.
• C. spot has /ɒ/, a short rounded vowel. It is close to /ɔ:/ but shorter, so it does not match.
• D. jaw has /ɔ:/, a long open-o sound. It matches "short" /ʃɔ:t/.

Answer: D. jaw

Tip: Watch the length of the vowel. "Spot" is a tempting trap because it has an "o" and sounds similar, but it is short /ɒ/. If you can stretch the sound and it still feels the same (shor-t and jaw-w), it is /ɔ:/.