WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 50

height — choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as ihe one represented by the leter(s)…

Question

choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as ihe one represented by the leter(s) underlined. height

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

A.house
B.heir
C.honest
D.hour

Answer: A. house

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined letter(s) in "height" aren't shown here, but the word begins with h, which is the most likely target. In "height" the h is pronounced /h/ (as in /haɪt/). We need the option whose h is also pronounced /h/.

Concept: In English, the letter h is usually pronounced /h/, but in some words it is silent. These are mostly words borrowed from French, and you should learn them:

heir, honest, honour, hour (silent h)

Checking each option:

A. house /haʊs/. The h is pronounced /h/. ✔
B. heir /eə/. The h is silent. ✘
C. honest /ˈɒnɪst/. The h is silent. ✘
D. hour /ˈaʊə/. The h is silent. ✘

Answer: Only "house" has the same /h/ sound as "height".

Tip: Memorize the "silent h" group: heir, honest, honour, hour (also honourable, hourly). If an option is not one of these, its h is probably pronounced. In such questions, eliminate the silent-h words first.

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