WAEC 2019 English Language · Question 61

league — 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. league

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

A.dead
B.critique
C.willing
D.fit

Answer: B. critique

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: "league" is pronounced /liːɡ/. The underlined vowel sound is probably "ea" (or "eagu"), which gives the long vowel /iː/ as in "see". We need the option with the same /iː/ sound.

Check each option:

A. dead has /ɛ/ (as in "bed"). It is not a match.
B. critique is pronounced /krɪˈtiːk/. The stressed "i" in "-tique" is /iː/. This is a match.
C. willing is pronounced /ˈwɪlɪŋ/. The vowel is the short /ɪ/. It is not a match.
D. fit has the short /ɪ/. It is not a match.

Concept: The /iː/ sound can be spelled many ways: ee (see), ea (league), ie (field), ei (receive), and -ique (critique, unique has /juːniːk/). Always say the word aloud and listen to the sound, not the spelling.

Answer: B. critique has /iː/, the same as "league".

Tip: In WASSCE vowel-sound questions, first decide whether the target sound is long or short. Long /iː/ (as in "sheep") and short /ɪ/ (as in "ship") are often used as traps, so options C and D here are the short-vowel distractors.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.