/g/ — choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol

Analyze the question: We need the word that contains the sound /g/ (the hard "g" as in go). Pay attention to the sound, not just the spelling.

Explain the concept: The letter "g" can represent different sounds:

• /g/ as in go, bag, target
• /dʒ/ as in gem, giant
• Silent, as in gnash, gnaw (the "g" before "n" at the start of a word is silent)
• /ŋ/ as in sing, long, where "ng" together makes one nasal sound and no separate /g/ is heard

Solution, option by option:

• A. gnash /næʃ/: the "g" is silent, so there is no /g/.
• B. target /ˈtɑːgɪt/: the "g" is pronounced as a hard /g/, so this word has the sound.
• C. gnaw /nɔː/: the "g" is silent, so there is no /g/.
• D. sing /sɪŋ/: "ng" represents the single sound /ŋ/, so there is no /g/.

Answer: B. target

Tip: Words starting with "gn" (gnat, gnome, gnaw, gnash) always have a silent "g". Also, "ng" at the end of a word (sing, king, long) is usually /ŋ/, not /g/. Always say the word aloud in your head and listen for the actual sound.