WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 40

canoe — 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. canoe

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

A.truce
B.pull
C.doe
D.shore

Answer: A. truce

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined part of "canoe" isn't shown here. In "canoe" (/kəˈnuː/), the stressed vowel sound is the long /uː/, spelled "oe". The question most likely underlines "oe", so we match that sound.

Concept: The spelling "oe" can be pronounced in different ways:

/uː/ as in canoe and shoe
/əʊ/ as in doe, toe and foe

So we need to match the sound, not the spelling.

Check each option:

A. truce /truːs/ has the long /uː/ sound. This matches canoe.
B. pull /pʊl/ has the short /ʊ/ sound. It is different from /uː/.
C. doe /dəʊ/ has the /əʊ/ sound. It has the same spelling as canoe but a different sound. This is the trap option.
D. shore /ʃɔː/ has the /ɔː/ sound. It is different.

Answer: A. truce has the same /uː/ vowel sound as canoe.

Tip: WASSCE often includes a distractor with the same spelling but a different sound (here, doe). Always say the words aloud in your head and compare the sounds, not the letters. Remember the pairs canoe–truce–shoe–blue (all /uː/), and keep pull (short /ʊ/) separate from pool (long /uː/).

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