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

Analyze the question: You need the word that contains the diphthong /eɪ/, the sound in "day" or "bake". Say each word aloud and listen to its vowel sound.

Explain the concept: /eɪ/ is a diphthong, meaning a glide from one vowel sound to another. It is the "long A" sound. Common spellings are a-e (cake), ai (rain), ay (day), ei (eight) and ey (they).

Check each option:

• A. said is pronounced /sed/. The vowel is the short /e/, not /eɪ/. ✗
• B. seize is pronounced /siːz/. The vowel is the long /iː/, even though it is spelt "ei". ✗
• C. gale is pronounced /ɡeɪl/. The "a-e" pattern gives the diphthong /eɪ/. ✓
• D. nine is pronounced /naɪn/. The vowel is the diphthong /aɪ/, which is a different sound. ✗

Answer: Only gale has the /eɪ/ sound, so the correct option is C.

Tip: Don't trust spelling when answering phonetics questions. "Seize" has "ei" but is /iː/, and "said" has "ai" but is /e/. Always say the word aloud and listen to the vowel. For /eɪ/, test it by asking whether the word rhymes with "day" or "bake".