Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol /ŋ/

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word that contains the sound /ŋ/. This is the "ng" sound, as in sing, which is called the velar nasal.

Explain the concept: The sound /ŋ/ is made at the back of the mouth, with the back of the tongue touching the soft palate and air passing through the nose. In English, it usually appears in two situations:

• the letters ng at the end of a word, as in king and sing
• the letter n before k or g sounds, as in sink, think and finger. Here the "n" changes to /ŋ/ because the /k/ that follows is made in the same part of the mouth.

Solve step by step: Transcribe each option.

• A. reign is /reɪn/. The "g" is silent and the ending is a normal /n/. ✗
• B. sink is /sɪŋk/. The "n" comes before "k", so it is pronounced /ŋ/. ✓
• C. hinge is /hɪndʒ/. The "n" is followed by /dʒ/, so it stays as a normal /n/. ✗
• D. thin is /θɪn/. It ends with a normal /n/. ✗

Answer: The correct option is **B.

Tip: If "n" is followed by a k sound (sink, bank, think, uncle), it is nearly always /ŋ/. Be careful with words like hinge, change and plunge, where "ng" is followed by a soft "g" sound (/dʒ/) and the "n" stays /n/. Also remember that silent-g words like reign and sign do not have /ŋ/.