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 debt

Analyze the question: The word "debt" is pronounced /dɛt/. The underlined letter is the vowel "e", which gives the short vowel /ɛ/. We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Explain the concept: In vowel-sound questions, ignore the spelling and focus on how the word is pronounced. The "b" in "debt" is silent, so the vowel sound is the short /e/ as in "bed" or "red".

Step-by-step solution:

• A. said is pronounced /sɛd/. The "ai" gives the short /ɛ/ sound, which matches "debt".
• B. doubt is pronounced /daʊt/. The vowel is the diphthong /aʊ/, so it does not match.
• C. gain is pronounced /ɡeɪn/. The vowel is the diphthong /eɪ/, so it does not match.
• D. eke is pronounced /iːk/. The vowel is the long /iː/, so it does not match.

Answer: Only "said" has the short /ɛ/ vowel sound, the same as "debt". The correct option is A.

Tip: "Said" is an irregular spelling. "Ai" normally sounds like /eɪ/ (as in "gain", "rain"), but in "said" and "again" it is short /ɛ/. Words like "said", "says", "bread", "head" and "friend" all share the /ɛ/ sound, so it helps to learn them as a group. Also remember that silent letters, like the "b" in "debt" and "doubt", don't affect the vowel sound.