through — choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letters…

Analyze the question: The word is "through" and the underlined letters are not shown, so I have to infer them. In "through", the usual underlined part is "th", which gives the voiceless sound /θ/. (If it were "thr", the sounds would be /θr/.) Let's check both readings against the options.

Concept: The "th" spelling has two sounds:

• Voiceless /θ/, as in thin, both, think, bath. The vocal cords do not vibrate.
• Voiced /ð/, as in breathe, this, then, mother. The vocal cords vibrate.

Step-by-step solution:

1. "through" is pronounced /θruː/. It begins with the voiceless /θ/.
2. Check each option: • A. breathe /briːð/: the "th" is voiced /ð/. This does not match. • B. both /bəʊθ/: the "th" is voiceless /θ/. This matches. • C. drew /druː/: it has /d/ and /r/, with no /θ/. This does not match. • D. tram /træm/: it has /t/ and /r/, with no /θ/. This does not match.

3. If the underlined letters were "thr" (/θr/), none of the options would match exactly.

Answer: B (both)

Tip: To tell voiced from voiceless "th", put a finger on your throat. If you feel a vibration, as in breathe, it is voiced /ð/. If you feel none, as in both and through, it is voiceless /θ/. Also remember that function words (the, this, that, them) and verbs ending in "-the" (breathe, bathe) usually take the voiced sound.