peel — choose the word that rhymes with the given word

Analyze the question: You need the word that rhymes with "peel". Rhyming words have the same ending sound (vowel plus final consonant), even if the spelling differs.

Explain the concept: Rhyme depends on sound, not spelling. Homophones (words that sound exactly the same but are spelt differently) also count as rhymes, and "peel" has a homophone.

Pronounce each word:

• peel = /piːl/
• A. pile = /paɪl/ (sounds like "pyle"), which has a different vowel sound
• B. pearl = /pɜːl/ (sounds like "perl"), which has a different vowel sound
• C. peal = /piːl/ (the ringing of bells), which has the same vowel and the same final consonant
• D. plea = /pliː/, which has no final "l" sound, so it ends differently

Solution: Only peal has the same /iːl/ sound as "peel". It is a homophone of "peel", so it rhymes perfectly.

Tip: In rhyme questions, say each word aloud and compare the last vowel + consonant sound. Watch for look-alike spellings such as "pearl" and "pile", which are meant to distract you. Also remember that ee/ea spellings (peel/peal, meet/meat) often produce the same sound.