WAEC 2021 English Language · Question 29

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 tan

Options

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

A.ten
B.tin
C.wan
D.gas

Answer: D. gas

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "tan", and the underlined part is presumably the vowel "a". In "tan", the vowel sound is the short /æ/ (as in "cat", "man").

Concept: To answer a vowel-sound question, say each word aloud and write down its vowel sound in phonetic form (IPA). Then match it with the sound in the given word.

Step-by-step solution:

tan → /tæn/ (vowel: /æ/)
A. ten → /ten/ (vowel: /e/). Not a match.
B. tin → /tɪn/ (vowel: /ɪ/). Not a match.
C. wan → /wɒn/ (vowel: /ɒ/). The letter "a" here is pulled toward /ɒ/ by the preceding "w". Not a match.
D. gas → /ɡæs/ (vowel: /æ/). This matches.

Answer: D. gas has the same vowel sound /æ/ as "tan".

Tip: Watch out for the "w + a" pattern, as in wan, want, watch, wash. The "w" changes the "a" to /ɒ/, so these words sound different from tan, man, gas. In exams, always say the words out loud (silently in your head) rather than relying on spelling alone.

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