WAEC 2019 English Language · Question 10

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

Question

Choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. canoe

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

A.louse
B.going
C.brunt
D.brew

Answer: D. brew

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

The question doesn't show which letters are underlined in "canoe". In this question the underlined part is normally "oe" (the ending), so I'll work with that.

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the vowel sound in the underlined part of "canoe" and then the option with the same sound.

Step 2: Find the sound "Canoe" is pronounced /kəˈnuː/. The "oe" makes the long vowel /uː/, as in "too" or "moon".

Step 3: Check each option

A. louse /laʊs/ has the diphthong /aʊ/. Not a match.
B. going /ˈɡəʊɪŋ/ has the diphthong /əʊ/. Not a match.
C. brunt /brʌnt/ has the short vowel /ʌ/. Not a match.
D. brew /bruː/ has the long vowel /uː/. This is a match.

Step 4: Answer "Brew" has the same /uː/ sound as the "oe" in "canoe", so the answer is D.

Exam tip: "oe" can be pronounced in different ways:

/uː/ in canoe, shoe
/əʊ/ in toe, foe, goes

Always say the word aloud and focus on the sound, not the spelling. Spelling is the usual trap in these questions, for example "going" with its "o" looks like it could match, but the sound is different.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.