WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 34

jeopardy — 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. jeopardy

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

A.check
B.people
C.probe
D.fired

Answer: A. check

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "jeopardy" and the underlined part is not shown, but in this classic WASSCE question it is the "eo" in jeopardy. We need the word whose vowel sound matches it.

Explain the concept: In "jeopardy" /ˈdʒepədi/, the letters "eo" are pronounced as the short vowel /e/, as in "bed" or "head". The spelling is irregular, so you must rely on the sound, not the letters.

Step-by-step solution:

Pronounce "jeopardy": JEP-ar-dee. The "eo" gives /e/.
Check each option: • A. check /tʃek/: the vowel is /e/. Match. • B. people /ˈpiːpl/: the "eo" gives /iː/. No match. • C. probe /proʊb/: the vowel is /oʊ/. No match. • D. fired /ˈfaɪəd/: the vowel is the diphthong /aɪə/. No match.

Answer: The vowel sound in "jeopardy" is /e/, the same as in "check".

Tip: "People" and "jeopardy" both contain "eo", but they sound different. In sound-matching questions, ignore the spelling, say each word aloud, and compare only the vowel sound. Words like "leopard", "jeopardy", and "Geoffrey" use "eo" for /e/, while "people" uses it for /iː/.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.