WAEC 2021 English Language · Question 25

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined berth

Options

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

A.hurt
B.hunt
C.breath
D.berry

Answer: A. hurt

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Question analysis: The word is "berth", and the underlined letters are presumably "er". We need the option with the same vowel sound as "er" in "berth".

Concept: "Berth" (a sleeping place on a ship or train, or a place for a ship to dock) is pronounced /bɜːθ/. The vowel is the long central vowel /ɜː/, the same sound as in "bird", "fur", "earn" and "hurt".

Checking each option:

A. hurt /hɜːt/ has the vowel /ɜː/. This matches "berth".
B. hunt /hʌnt/ has the short vowel /ʌ/, as in "cup". This does not match.
C. breath /breθ/ has the short vowel /e/, as in "bed". This does not match.
D. berry /ˈberi/ has the short vowel /e/. This does not match.

Answer: A (hurt)

Tip: The letters "er", "ir", "ur" and "ear" (as in "earth") often produce the same /ɜː/ sound. Compare "berth", "hurt", "bird", "learn" and "serve". Words like "berry" and "breath" use the short /e/ sound instead, so don't be fooled by the spelling "er" or "ea".

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.