WAEC 2019 English Language · Question 78

waste — 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. waste

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

A.wasn't
B.poetry
C.great
D.fret

Answer: C. great

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word "waste" is pronounced /weɪst/. The vowel sound is the diphthong /eɪ/ (as in "day"). The underlined part is presumably "a" in "waste". We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Concept: The same sound can be spelled in different ways. The /eɪ/ sound can appear as "a-e" (waste), "ai" (rain), "ay" (day), "ea" (great), or "ey" (they).

Check each option:

A. wasn't /ˈwɒznt/: the vowel is /ɒ/ (short "o"). Not a match.
B. poetry /ˈpəʊɪtri/: the underlined part is likely "oe", which is /əʊ/ (as in "go"). Not a match.
C. great /ɡreɪt/: the "ea" is pronounced /eɪ/. This matches "waste".
D. fret /fret/: the vowel is /e/ (short "e", as in "bed"). Not a match.

Answer: C. great.

Tip: "ea" is usually /iː/ (eat, beat) or /e/ (head, bread), but there are three common exceptions where it sounds /eɪ/: great, break, steak. Memorize them, because they appear often in WASSCE, NECO and JAMB oral English questions.

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