WAEC 2021 English Language · Question 44

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 date

Options

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

A.west
B.height
C.says
D.heinous

Answer: D. heinous

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

The underlined letters in "date" aren't visible in your question, but "date" has the vowel sound /eɪ/ (as in "day"). So we need the word among the options that contains the /eɪ/ sound.

Step 1: Analyze the question We are matching vowel sounds. The target sound is the diphthong /eɪ/ in "date".

Step 2: Check each option

A. west /west/ has the short vowel /e/. This is not /eɪ/.
B. height /haɪt/ has the diphthong /aɪ/ (as in "light"). This is not /eɪ/.
C. says /sez/ has the short vowel /e/ (as in "bed"). This is not /eɪ/, even though "say" itself is /eɪ/.
D. heinous /ˈheɪnəs/ has the diphthong /eɪ/ in its first syllable, the same as in "date".

Step 3: Answer The "ei" in "heinous" is pronounced /eɪ/, matching the vowel sound in "date".

Exam tip: The spelling "ei" can be pronounced in several ways:

/eɪ/ as in neighbour, eight, reign, heinous
/aɪ/ as in height, either (in some pronunciations)
/iː/ as in receive, seize

Also watch for tricky words like "says" and "said", which look like they should have /eɪ/ but actually use /e/. Always say the word aloud in your head rather than relying on spelling.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.