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

Analyze the question: The underlined letters aren't visible in the text, but the word is "young". The consonant sound at the start of "young" is /j/ (the "y" sound), as in "yes". The question asks which option has the same consonant sound.

Concept: In English, the letter "j" usually represents the sound /dʒ/ (as in "jump"). The letter "y" at the start of a word represents the sound /j/ (as in "yellow"). Don't be tricked by spelling. Compare the sounds, not the letters.

Step-by-step:

• young → /jʌŋ/. The first sound is /j/.
• A. jump → /dʒʌmp/. The first sound is /dʒ/. Not a match.
• B. jog → /dʒɒɡ/. The first sound is /dʒ/. Not a match.
• C. yen → /jen/. The first sound is /j/. This matches.
• D. junior → /ˈdʒuːniə/. The first sound is /dʒ/. Not a match.

Note: If the underlined part in the original question was a different part of "young" (such as the "ng"), none of the options would fit, since none of them end in /ŋ/. So the underlined letters must be the "y", and the answer is C.

Answer: C. yen

Tip: Say the words aloud and listen to the first sound. "Young" and "yen" both start with the "yuh" sound, while "jump", "jog" and "junior" all start with the "juh" sound (/dʒ/). In sound questions, ignore the spelling and trust your ears.