firm — choose the word that rhymes with the given word

Analyze the question: We need the word that rhymes with "firm". Rhyming words have the same vowel sound and ending sound.

Explain the concept: Rhyme depends on sound, not spelling. "Firm" is pronounced /fɜːm/. The vowel is the long "er" sound (as in her), followed by the "m" sound. So we look for a word with the /ɜː/ vowel plus /m/.

Solution:

• A. born /bɔːn/: vowel is "aw", ending in "n". Does not rhyme.
• B. worm /wɜːm/: the "or" here is pronounced like "er" (irregular spelling), and it ends in "m". This matches /ɜːm/. Rhymes with firm.
• C. burn /bɜːn/: same vowel, but ends in "n", not "m". Only partly similar, so it does not rhyme.
• D. girl /gɜːl/: same vowel, but ends in "l". Does not rhyme.

Answer: B. worm. Both firm and worm share the /ɜːm/ sound.

Tip: Always say the words aloud and compare the vowel + final consonant. Spelling can be misleading (for example, "wor" in worm sounds like "fir" in firm). Options like burn and girl are traps: they share the vowel but not the ending.