gender — choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) in bold

Analyze the question: The bold letter(s) in "gender" aren't shown here, but in this word the usual target is the g, which is pronounced as in /dʒ/ ("jen-der"). So we need the word whose consonant sound matches the /dʒ/ sound.

Concept: The letter g has two common sounds:

• Hard g /g/, as in go, good, girl
• Soft g /dʒ/, as in gentle, giant, gender

Before e, i, or y, g is often soft, though there are exceptions (e.g., get, give, guilty).

Step-by-step check of the options:

• A. guilty: /ˈgɪlti/. The gu gives a hard /g/. ✗
• B. good: /gʊd/. Hard /g/. ✗
• C. glitter: /ˈglɪtə/. Hard /g/. ✗
• D. joyful: /ˈdʒɔɪfl/. The j gives /dʒ/. ✓

Answer: The g in "gender" is /dʒ/, which is the same as the j in "joyful".

Tip: In sound questions, ignore spelling and say each word aloud. "Gender" starts like "jender", so look for the option that starts with a "j" sound. Remember that hard g words (guilty, good, glitter) all start with the /g/ sound as in "go".