WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 54

bear — 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. bear

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

A.her
B.year
C.fare
D.pie

Answer: C. fare

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "bear" and the underlined part is presumably "ear". We need the option whose vowel sound matches it. In "bear", "ear" is pronounced /eə/ (the vowel in "air" or "care").

Concept: English spelling doesn't always match pronunciation, so "ear" can be pronounced in several ways:

bear /beə/ → /eə/
year /jɪə/ → /ɪə/
her /hɜː/ → /ɜː/
fare /feə/ → /eə/
pie /paɪ/ → /aɪ/

Step by step:

Say "bear": the vowel sound is the diphthong /eə/, as in "air".
A. her has /ɜː/, so it does not match.
B. year has /ɪə/, as in "ear" or "here". This is a common trap because the spelling "ear" looks the same, but the sound is different.
C. fare has /eə/, which matches "bear".
D. pie has /aɪ/, so it does not match.

Correct answer: C. fare

Tip: In sound questions, ignore the spelling and say each word aloud. Remember the "ear" family has different sounds: bear/pear/wear → /eə/, but hear/year/dear → /ɪə/, and learn/earth → /ɜː/. Words that rhyme in sound, not spelling, give you the answer.

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