/ʃ/ — 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 /ʃ/, the "sh" sound as in ship or machine.

Concept: In English, the /ʃ/ sound is often spelled in ways other than "sh". Common patterns include:

• -tion (nation, station)
• -ssion (mission)
• -ci-/-ti- before a vowel (special, patient)
• ch in words of French origin (machine)

Check each option:

• A. badge is /bædʒ/. The "dge" gives /dʒ/ (as in judge), not /ʃ/.
• B. catch is /kætʃ/. The "tch" gives /tʃ/ (as in church), which is close to /ʃ/ but not the same sound. It is an affricate, not a pure "sh".
• C. bastion is usually /ˈbæstiən/ or /ˈbæstʃən/. The "-tion" after "s" is pronounced /tʃ/ (as in question), not /ʃ/. So this is a trap option.
• D. edition is /ɪˈdɪʃən/. The "-tion" after a vowel sound gives /ʃ/, so it contains the sound.

Answer: D. edition

Tip: Look at what comes before "-tion". After a consonant "s" or "x" (as in question, bastion, mixture), it usually sounds like /tʃ/. After a vowel or other consonants (as in edition, nation, action), it sounds like /ʃ/. Also remember: /ʃ/ is "sh", while /tʃ/ is "ch" and /dʒ/ is "j".