WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 108

fault — 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. fault

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

A.brought
B.bowl
C.loan
D.laugh

Answer: A. brought

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: This is a phonetics (vowel sound) question. The word "fault" has the underlined letters "au" (the original paper underlined these). We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Explain the concept: In "fault", the "au" is pronounced /ɔː/, the long "aw" sound, as in "sauce" or "law". (In Nigerian English it is often said as /ɔ/, which is close to this.)

Step-by-step solution:

A. brought: pronounced /brɔːt/. The "ough" gives /ɔː/. ✔ Same sound as "fault".
B. bowl: pronounced /bəʊl/. The vowel is /əʊ/ (the "oh" sound). ✘
C. loan: pronounced /ləʊn/. The vowel is /əʊ/. ✘
D. laugh: pronounced /lɑːf/. The vowel is /ɑː/ (the "ah" sound). ✘

Answer: The vowel in "fault" /fɔːlt/ matches the vowel in "brought" /brɔːt/, so the correct option is A.

Tip: Watch out for "ough" words, because they have many different sounds:

brought, thought, bought: /ɔː/
though: /əʊ/
rough, tough: /ʌ/
through: /uː/

Also remember that "au" and "aw" spellings (cause, law, fault, draw) usually give /ɔː/. Group words by sound, not by spelling.

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