wept — Choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as ihe one represented by the letter(s) underlined

The underlining was lost when the question was copied, so I have to infer which sound is meant. The word is "wept", and the most likely target is the final "pt" cluster, or just the "t" sound in "wept".

Analyze the question

You must find the word with the same consonant sound(s) as the underlined part of "wept". The likely underlined part is "pt", pronounced /pt/.

Explain the concept

In English, the -ed ending is pronounced in three ways:

• /t/ after voiceless sounds such as p, k, f, s, sh, ch
• /d/ after voiced sounds
• /ɪd/ after t or d

So "slapped" (slap + ed) ends in /pt/, because the "pp" is voiceless and the -ed becomes /t/.

Solution, checking each option

• A. castle /ˈkɑːsl/: the "t" is silent, so there is no /pt/ cluster.
• B. apostle /əˈpɒsl/: the "p" is pronounced, but the "t" is silent, so it is not /pt/.
• C. slapped /slæpt/: ends in /pt/, the same as "wept" /wept/.
• D. passed /pɑːst/: ends in /st/, not /pt/.

If the underlined part were only the "t" in "wept", then "slapped" and "passed" both end in /t/. But "pt" is the cluster that matches exactly in "slapped", so C is the best answer in either case.

Answer: C. slapped

Tip: Silent "t" appears in words like castle, listen, whistle, and fasten. When you see a "t" in these words, don't count it as a /t/ sound. For -ed endings, check the sound before the ending, and if it is voiceless the ending is /t/.