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

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word that contains the sound /tʃ/. This is the "ch" sound, as in church, chair and match.

Concept: The /tʃ/ sound is an affricate, a "t" sound that glides straight into "sh". It can be spelled ch, tch, or sometimes t (as in question, nature). Be careful, because the letters "ch" don't always give /tʃ/. In some words they give /k/ (e.g. school, technical) or /ʃ/ (e.g. machine).

Solution, checking each option:

• A. clutter /ˈklʌtə/: the "tt" gives a plain /t/. There is no /tʃ/ here.
• B. furnish /ˈfɜːnɪʃ/: the "sh" gives /ʃ/ only. There is no /t/ before it, so this is not /tʃ/.
• C. technical /ˈteknɪkl/: the "ch" here sounds like /k/. It starts with /t/ and has /k/, but not /tʃ/.
• D. teacher /ˈtiːtʃə/: the "ch" gives /tʃ/, just like in chair. ✔

Answer: D. teacher

Tip: Watch out for "ch" words. In words of Greek origin (technical, chemistry, school), "ch" is usually /k/. In everyday English words (teacher, church, chop), it is usually /tʃ/. Say each word aloud and listen for the "ch" sound.