WAEC 2019 English Language · Question 109

/ao/ — Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol

Question

Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol. /ao/

A.costume
B.counsel
C.badge
D.aura

Answer: B. counsel

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word that contains the diphthong /aʊ/ (the symbol is written "ao" here, but it stands for /aʊ/, the sound in "now" or "house").

Concept: /aʊ/ is a diphthong that starts with an open "ah" sound and glides to "oo". It is usually spelled "ou" or "ow", as in house, cow, sound.

Check each option:

A. costume /ˈkɒstjuːm/. The vowels are /ɒ/ and /uː/. There is no /aʊ/.
B. counsel /ˈkaʊnsəl/. The "ou" is pronounced /aʊ/, as in "count" and "mouth". This one has the sound.
C. badge /bædʒ/. The vowel is /æ/. There is no /aʊ/.
D. aura /ˈɔːrə/. The vowel is /ɔː/. There is no /aʊ/.

Answer: B, counsel.

Tip: Do not be misled by the spelling. "Counsel" and "council" both contain /aʊ/, but "counsel" is the one that appears in the options. Always say each word aloud and listen to the vowel. Also remember that "ou" is not always /aʊ/: compare country /ʌ/ and soup /uː/.

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