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

Question analysis: The underlined letters aren't visible in the text, but for "weather" the underlined part is almost certainly "th". In "weather" it is the voiced /ð/ sound, as in "this" and "that". So we need the option whose "th" is also voiced /ð/.

Concept: The English "th" has two sounds:

• Voiced /ð/: the vocal cords vibrate (this, that, mother, weather, brother)
• Voiceless /θ/: no vibration (think, thin, bath, breath, length)

Place a finger on your throat as you say the word. If you feel a buzz, it is voiced.

Checking each option:

• A. length → /leŋθ/. The "th" is voiceless /θ/. ✗
• B. brother → /ˈbrʌðə/. The "th" is voiced /ð/. ✓
• C. think → /θɪŋk/. The "th" is voiceless /θ/. ✗
• D. breath → /breθ/. The "th" is voiceless /θ/. ✗ (Note: the verb "breathe" /briːð/ is voiced, but the noun "breath" is voiceless.)

Answer: B. brother.

Tip: Words with "th" between vowels, like weather, brother, mother, father and other, are usually voiced. Words that end in "th" or start a content word with "th", like think, breath, bath, and thank, are usually voiceless. Exceptions exist, such as "this" and "that", but the test is always to feel the vibration in your throat.