WAEC 2018 English Language · Question 80

stay — 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. stay

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

A.height
B.rake
C.rise
D.rose

Answer: B. rake

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word "stay" has the underlined vowel sound /eɪ/ (as in "day", "play"). We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Explain the concept: In English, the same vowel sound can be spelled in many ways. The /eɪ/ sound (a diphthong) can be written as ay, a-e, ai, ei, or ey. So you must listen to the sound, not just look at the spelling.

Solution: say each word and find its vowel sound

stay → /steɪ/ → vowel sound /eɪ/
A. height → /haɪt/ → vowel sound /aɪ/ ✗ (the "eigh" spelling is tricky here, as it is /eɪ/ in "weight" but /aɪ/ in "height")
B. rake → /reɪk/ → vowel sound /eɪ/ ✓
C. rise → /raɪz/ → vowel sound /aɪ/ ✗
D. rose → /roʊz/ → vowel sound /əʊ/ ✗

Only rake matches the /eɪ/ sound in "stay".

Answer: B (rake)

Tip: Watch out for "eigh" words. Weight, eight, neighbour have /eɪ/, but height and sleight have /aɪ/. Examiners love using height as a trap. Always sound the word out loud (or in your head) rather than judging by spelling.

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