WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 133

bath — choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as ihe one represented by the leter(s) underlined

Question

choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as ihe one represented by the leter(s) underlined. bath

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

A.heart
B.those
C.bathe
D.thigh

Answer: D. thigh

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "bath". The underlined letters aren't shown, but in "bath" the consonant digraph that stands out is "th", pronounced /θ/ (voiceless, as in "think"). We need the option with the same sound.

Explain the concept: In English, "th" has two sounds:

/θ/ (voiceless): the vocal cords do not vibrate. Examples: thin, bath, thigh, math
/ð/ (voiced): the vocal cords vibrate. Examples: this, those, bathe, mother

Tip for checking: put your fingers on your throat. If you feel a vibration, it is voiced /ð/. If not, it is voiceless /θ/.

Solution, option by option:

A. heart /hɑːt/: the underlined part would be "h" or "t", not "th". Not a match.
B. those /ðəʊz/: voiced /ð/. Not a match.
C. bathe /beɪð/: voiced /ð/. The final "e" changes the sound. Not a match.
D. thigh /θaɪ/: voiceless /θ/. This matches "bath" /bɑːθ/.

Answer: D. thigh

Exam tip: Watch for pairs like bath/bathe, breath/breathe and cloth/clothe. The silent "e" at the end usually turns the voiceless /θ/ into the voiced /ð/. This is a popular WASSCE trap.

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